Pilot Debrief

781569 INC FX 210 near Punta Gorda, FL — 2013-03-09

Final reportERA13LA159
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Date
2013-03-09
Location
Punta Gorda, FL, USA
Airport
PGD
Aircraft
781569 INC FX 210
Registration
N524VT
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined from the available evidence.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he performed a preflight inspection of the experimental amateur-built airplane and noted that about 25 gallons of fuel remained in both of the airplane's fuel tanks. He subsequently departed for a local sightseeing flight, and, upon returning to the airport traffic pattern, the engine lost all power while the airplane was turning from the base to the final leg of the approach to the runway. The pilot was unable to glide the airplane to the runway, so he landed the airplane in a grass area short of the runway. The airplane's nose landing gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined from the available evidence.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Ensuring fuel system was compliant with design specifications before flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents7

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