Pilot Debrief

FLIGHT DESIGN GMBH CTSW near Port Allen, LA — 2016-11-13

Final reportCEN17LA041
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Date
2016-11-13
Location
Port Allen, LA, USA
Airport
LA46
Aircraft
FLIGHT DESIGN GMBH CTSW
Registration
N329CT
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, which resulted from debris in the fuel selector valve restricting the fuel flow to the engine and led to a forced landing on rough terrain.

NTSB narrative

The student pilot reported that, shortly after departing for a local, personal flight and while the airplane was about 875 ft above ground level, the engine lost all power. The student attempted to restart the engine without success. Subsequently, he conducted a forced landing in a field, during which the left main landing gear and wing struck a dirt mound, and the airplane nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage, the right wing spar and leading edge, and the left wing attachment. Postaccident examination of the fuel system revealed that there was debris inside the fuel selector valve check ball. The debris likely restricted the fuel flow to the engine and led to the loss of all engine power due to fuel starvation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked fuel system integrity before takeoff.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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