Pilot Debrief

FLOHR DAVID J R 80 TIGER MOTH near Decatur, TX — 2016-06-06

Final reportCEN16LA219
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Date
2016-06-06
Location
Decatur, TX, USA
Aircraft
FLOHR DAVID J R 80 TIGER MOTH
Registration
N8CX
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

A failure of the electric fuel boost pump, which resulted in fuel starvation and a subsequent total loss of engine power.

NTSB narrative

The airline transport pilot reported that he was flying his experimental, amateur-built airplane about 500 ft above ground level over his ranch when he smelled something burning. About 15 seconds later, the engine experienced a total loss of power, and the propeller stopped spinning. The airplane impacted a ditch and nosed over during the subsequent forced landing. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the inline electric boost pump had overheated and burned, which resulted in a loss of fuel supply to the engine.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked engine systems before flight to prevent power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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