Pilot Debrief

VANS RV10 near Hurricane, UT — 2021-11-22

Final reportWPR22LA046
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Date
2021-11-22
Location
Hurricane, UT, USA
Airport
UT47
Aircraft
VANS RV10
Registration
N54CT
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The total loss of engine power due to a loose fuel line at the fuel servo outlet port.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that after takeoff, on the downwind leg of the airport traffic pattern, he reduced power and decreased his rate of climb due to rising engine operating temperatures. Shortly after, the engine experienced a complete loss of power. Despite attempts to troubleshoot, the pilot was unable to restore engine power and conducted a 360° turn to lose altitude prior to landing. However, after turning onto final approach for the runway, he realized he did not have enough altitude to make it to the runway and initiated a forced landing to an open field. The airplane landed hard and impacted terrain before it came to rest in a nose-low attitude, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. Postaccident examination of the recovered airframe and engine revealed that the fuel line from the fuel servo outlet port to the fuel flow transducer inlet port was loose at the fuel servo fitting. The loose fuel line would not allow for enough fuel pressure to reach the fuel flow divider and fuel injection nozzles, thus resulting in a loss of engine power. Recorded engine data revealed that fuel flow had decreased, while fuel pressure had remained steady, which would be consistent with a loose fuel line. The airplane’s last condition inspection was performed about 19 flight hours before the accident.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have switched back to left tank earlier to prevent power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents7

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