Pilot Debrief

FLIGHT DESIGN GMBH CTSW near Venice, FL — 2012-03-16

Final reportERA12LA229
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Date
2012-03-16
Location
Venice, FL, USA
Airport
VNC
Aircraft
FLIGHT DESIGN GMBH CTSW
Registration
N379CT
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power due to a loss of fuel pressure. The cause for the loss of fuel pressure could not be determined during postaccident testing.

NTSB narrative

Shortly after initiating the takeoff, a low fuel pressure warning activated on the airplane’s engine monitoring system. The engine experienced a total loss of power several seconds later, and the pilot performed a forced landing to the overrun area beyond the departure end of the runway. During the landing roll, the airplane struck the airport perimeter fence and was substantially damaged. The engine and fuel system were examined following the accident, and a successful postaccident test run of the engine and fuel pump did not reveal any reason for the loss of power. The examination did reveal the presence of a sand-like particulate at one fuel system screen and in one of the engine’s two carburetors. Analysis of data from the airplane’s engine monitoring system showed that following the initial loss of fuel pressure, it was briefly restored, before the engine lost power completely and the fuel pressure again fell.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff upon low fuel pressure warning.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • FDR / data
  • Photos
  • 8 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents8

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