Pilot Debrief

BOEING A75N1 near Santa Rosa, CA — 2013-04-20

Final reportWPR13LA212
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Date
2013-04-20
Location
Santa Rosa, CA, USA
Aircraft
BOEING A75N1
Registration
N985SS
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The partial loss of engine power due to fuel contamination and partially blocked fuel screens.

NTSB narrative

While joining up in formation flight with a second airplane, the pilot reduced engine power to slow his airplane. When he subsequently tried to increase the engine power, he noticed no response from the engine. The pilot stated that the engine was still running; however, the adjustment of the throttle control and the electric fuel boost pump did not alter the engine's power setting. The pilot performed a forced landing to a vineyard, and the airplane nosed over during the landing roll. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the main fuel system screen contained a fuzzy, spongy material along with other debris. The throttle body screen also contained small debris particles. Debris was also found in fuel that was removed from the lower fuel tank. It is likely that the debris within the fuel system restricted fuel flow to the engine and limited the power output. The source of the debris was undetermined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked fuel system before attempting formation flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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