Pilot Debrief

RANS S-16 near Fort Bridger, WY — 2014-08-01

Final reportWPR14LA323
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Date
2014-08-01
Location
Fort Bridger, WY, USA
Airport
FBR
Aircraft
RANS S-16
Registration
N116GS
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The fuel flow divider inlet line’s B-nut coming loose during takeoff, resulting in a total loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to adequately tighten the B-nut during recent maintenance.

NTSB narrative

Shortly after takeoff, experimental amateur-built airplane's engine lost all power. The pilot/owner performed a forced landing onto a road, and, during the landing flare, the main landing gear caught the edge of the road and collapsed. The airplane struck a pit and sustained substantial damage. The pilot had recently reinstalled the engine's fuel servo following the servo's overhaul, and this was the first flight since the installation. Postaccident examination revealed that the fuel line's B-nut fitting connecting the fuel servo to the fuel flow divider was about 1 1/3 turns loose. It is likely that the pilot had either forgotten to tighten the fitting or had not applied sufficient torque during reinstallation of the servo.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Ensuring fuel line was secure after fuel servo overhaul could have prevented power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents4

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