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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

April 28, 2001 · Perlick Avid Commuter · N142LP

Crawford, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 28, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Crawford, TX
Aircraft
Perlick Avid Commuter
Tail Number
N142LP
Operator
Darwin Sonders
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW01LA110

The amateur-built experimental airplane had not been flown for a period of time. During the preflight, at the owner's direction, the old fuel was drained. Subsequently, nine gallons of fuel were put in the aircraft. No discrepancies were noted during the runup and pretakeoff taxi. During the takeoff/initial climb, when the pilot banked the airplane to the right the engine "stopped running." The airplane was 150-200 feet agl and there were a building and trees in the forced landing flight path. The pilot turned the airplane left for landing in a corn field; however, as he flared the airplane, he "felt a tremendous sink rate, then the impact." The airplane flipped to the inverted position. The aircraft owner reported that "air blocked the line to the header fuel tank."

NTSB Probable Cause

the loss of engine power on takeoff initial climb due to fuel starvation as a result of an air blocked fuel line. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Full Narrative

On April 28, 2001, at 1830 central daylight time, a Perlick Avid Commuter amateur-built experimental airplane, N142LP, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Crawford, Texas. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by the pilot. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot stated that he was flying the aircraft as a prerequisite for possibly purchasing the aircraft. The aircraft had not been flown for a period of time and the fuel was "old." During the preflight, at the owner's direction, the fuel was drained. Subsequently, nine gallons of fuel were put into the aircraft. Following the aircraft run up at the north end of the runway, the pilot taxied the airplane to the south end of the runway and back to the north end of the runway for departure. There were no discrepancies during the run up and pretakeoff taxi. During the takeoff/initial climb, the pilot banked the airplane to the right with the intention of remaining over the airport. Immediately after banking the airplane, the engine "stopped running." The airplane was 150-200 feet agl, and there were a building and trees in the forced landing flight path. The pilot turned the airplane left for landing in a corn field; however, as he flared the airplane, he "felt a tremendous sink rate, then the impact," and the airplane flipped to the inverted position. The aircraft owner reported to the FAA inspector, who responded to the site, that "air blocked the line to the header fuel tank." Both wings and the wing struts were damaged.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:30 CDT
Nearest AirportScott Field (Private) (0nm S)
Runway18
Runway Length2000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPerlick Avid Commuter
Tail NumberN142LP
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDarwin Sonders
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 582LC · Reciprocating · 64
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 55 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180°
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data