Pilot Debrief

MAS EVENTS NEMESIS near Camarillo, CA — 2012-01-24

Final reportWPR12LA081
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Date
2012-01-24
Location
Camarillo, CA, USA
Airport
CMA
Aircraft
MAS EVENTS NEMESIS
Registration
F-WNXT
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

A partial loss of engine power during cruise flight due to incorrectly installed airframe components, which came into contact with a high pressure fuel line and resulted in its failure. Contributing to the accident was an undetermined failure of the primary landing gear extension system that could not be identified due to extensive damage.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident was an undetermined failure of the primary landing gear extension system that could not be identified due to extensive damage.

NTSB narrative

After a series of performance tests at cruise altitude, the engine of the experimental amateur-built airplane began to vibrate and lose partial power. Unable to maintain altitude, the pilot initiated a return to the departure airport. During the landing approach, he was unable to extend the landing gear with either the primary or backup systems. He attempted to perform a go-around; however, the airplane would not climb and he instead performed a forced landing into an adjacent field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower fuselage and both wings during the accident sequence, precluding a determination of the failure mode of the primary landing gear extension system. While the pilot reported that the backup system did not operate because he failed to positively disconnect a circuit breaker required for the system's operation, the failure of the primary landing system was not evident until late in the accident sequence and a go-around was not feasible. Examination of the engine revealed that the high pressure fuel injection lines had been in contact with airframe components, contrary to recommendations in the manufacturer's maintenance manual. This contact increased the stress on one of the lines, causing fatigue cracks to develop, which ultimately led to its failure and loss of fuel flow into one of the engine cylinders.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have returned to land after first signs of engine vibration.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ADS-B / radar
  • Photos
  • 15 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents15

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