Pilot Debrief

VANEK JIM SPORT COPTER VORTEX near Lake Wales, FL — 2015-09-24

Final reportERA15LA373
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Date
2015-09-24
Location
Lake Wales, FL, USA
Airport
X07
Aircraft
VANEK JIM SPORT COPTER VORTEX
Registration
N179V
Category
Gyroplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

A loss of engine power due to a lean fuel/air mixture as a result of a disconnected fuel primer line.

NTSB narrative

During the initial climb, the sport pilot of the gyroplane noticed that the engine began to lose power, and he attempted to return to the airport. The engine continued to lose power and the pilot made a forced landing in a field. During the landing sequence, the gyroplane rolled over and sustained damage to the airframe. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the fuel primer line was brittle and disconnected. The pilot stated that all of the fuel lines had been recently replaced, with the exception of the primer line. It is likely that the disconnected fuel primer line caused an excessively lean air/fuel mixture ratio, which resulted in the loss of engine power during the climb.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff after noticing engine power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents4

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