Pilot Debrief

ANKESTAR, BRADLEY D. RAND-ROBINSON KR2 near Hamilton, OH — 2013-05-11

Final reportCEN13LA304
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Date
2013-05-11
Location
Hamilton, OH, USA
Airport
HAO
Aircraft
ANKESTAR, BRADLEY D. RAND-ROBINSON KR2
Registration
N774A
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The loss of engine power due to vapor lock in the fuel system. Contributing to the accident was the operation of the airplane with automotive gasoline and the installation of noninsulated fuel components near heat sources in the engine compartment.

NTSB narrative

The pilot/owner, who also built the airplane, reported that, during the initial climb, the airplane stopped climbing about 30 ft above the ground and then experienced a loss of engine power. The airplane subsequently nosed over and impacted terrain. The pilot reported that he used automotive gasoline to fuel the airplane, which was powered by a Volkswagen engine with a POSA-type carburetor. Further, the engine was tightly cowled, but the gascolator on the airplane was not insulated and was mounted about 2 inches from the exhaust pipe. Airplanes configured in this manner are susceptible to vapor lock when operating with automotive gasoline. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with a loss of engine power due to vapor lock.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Not running the engine at full power before takeoff.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 7 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents7

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