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NTSB Report
May 21, 1989 · Zengel RV-4 · N371FZ
Columbia, IL
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 21, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Columbia, IL
Aircraft
Zengel RV-4
Tail Number
N371FZ
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI89DCA01
THE ACFT EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE FAILURE IMMEDIATELY AFTER LIFT OFF. THE PLT LANDED STRAIGHT AHEAD ON THE SAME RUNWAY BUT WAS UNABLE TO STOP IN THE DISTANCE REMAINING. THE ACFT NOSED OVER AFTER STRIKING A DITCH LOCATED AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT THE FUEL LINES HAD BEEN LOOSELY WRAPPED WITH FIRESLEEVE AND HAD BEEN ROUTED ADJACENT TO AN EXHAUST PIPE. GROUND RUNNING THE ENG FOR APRX ONE HR AFTER THE ACCIDENT RESULTED IN FUEL PRESSURE FLUCTUATIONS, HIGH OIL TEMP, AND LOSS OF ENGINE POWER ACCOMPANIED BY HEAVY BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST PIPES. THE BOOST PUMP SEEMED TO HAVE NO EFFECT ON THE PROBLEM.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE IMPROPER ROUTING OF ENGINE FUEL LINES RESULTING IN OVER TEMPERATURE OF THE LINES WHICH RESULTED IN THE FUEL FLOW TO CARBURETOR TO FLUCTUATE AND CAUSE OVER RICH CONDITION AND LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE FAILURE IMMEDIATELY AFTER LIFT OFF. THE PLT LANDED STRAIGHT AHEAD ON THE SAME RUNWAY BUT WAS UNABLE TO STOP IN THE DISTANCE REMAINING. THE ACFT NOSED OVER AFTER STRIKING A DITCH LOCATED AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT THE FUEL LINES HAD BEEN LOOSELY WRAPPED WITH FIRESLEEVE AND HAD BEEN ROUTED ADJACENT TO AN EXHAUST PIPE. GROUND RUNNING THE ENG FOR APRX ONE HR AFTER THE ACCIDENT RESULTED IN FUEL PRESSURE FLUCTUATIONS, HIGH OIL TEMP, AND LOSS OF ENGINE POWER ACCOMPANIED BY HEAVY BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST PIPES. THE BOOST PUMP SEEMED TO HAVE NO EFFECT ON THE PROBLEM.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 CDT
Nearest AirportCOLUMBIA (0nm N)
Runway21
Runway Length2400 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftZengel RV-4
Tail NumberN371FZ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 64 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind110° @ 11 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:45
Weather SourceWFAC