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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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April 22, 1990 · Dan T Zelazo Avid/Speedwing Avid/Speed · N396DZ

Sandwich, IL

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 22, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Sandwich, IL
Aircraft
Dan T Zelazo Avid/Speedwing Avid/Speed
Tail Number
N396DZ
Operator
Zelazo Dan T
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI90DEE05

THE OWNER-BUILT AIRPLANE HAD TAKEN OFF AND WAS CLIMBING ON RUNWAY HEADING WHEN THE PILOT STATES HE BEGAN TO LOSE ENGINE POWER AND SETTLE. THE PILOT MAINTAINED COURSE AND FLYING SPEED AS THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED INTO A 50 FOOT TREE TOP WHERE IT HUNG SUSPENDED. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED FUEL IN THE TANK BUT ALL LINES DOWNSTREAM OF THE IN-LINE FUEL FILTER WERE DRY. THE MAIN FUEL LINE TO THE ENGINE WAS DISCONNECTED AT THE INLET TO THE FUEL FILTER. HOSE CLAMPS WERE MISSING AT CONNECTIONS THROUGHOUT THE FUEL SYSTEM FROM TANK THROUGH CARBURETOR.

NTSB Probable Cause

IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF A FUEL LINE BY THE P. LOT/MANUFACTURER WHICH RESULTED IN SEPARATION OF A FUEL LINE, RESULTING IN FUEL STARVATION.

Full Narrative

THE OWNER-BUILT AIRPLANE HAD TAKEN OFF AND WAS CLIMBING ON RUNWAY HEADING WHEN THE PILOT STATES HE BEGAN TO LOSE ENGINE POWER AND SETTLE. THE PILOT MAINTAINED COURSE AND FLYING SPEED AS THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED INTO A 50 FOOT TREE TOP WHERE IT HUNG SUSPENDED. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED FUEL IN THE TANK BUT ALL LINES DOWNSTREAM OF THE IN-LINE FUEL FILTER WERE DRY. THE MAIN FUEL LINE TO THE ENGINE WAS DISCONNECTED AT THE INLET TO THE FUEL FILTER. HOSE CLAMPS WERE MISSING AT CONNECTIONS THROUGHOUT THE FUEL SYSTEM FROM TANK THROUGH CARBURETOR.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:45 CDT
Nearest AirportWoodlake Landing (0nm N)
Runway26
Runway Length2988 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDan T Zelazo Avid/Speedwing Avid/Speed
Tail NumberN396DZ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorZelazo Dan T
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 532 LC · Reciprocating · 40
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 42 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

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Appendix: Source Data