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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

October 19, 2002 · Hildebrandt Rutan/Defiant · N219DF

Watkins, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 19, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Watkins, CO
Aircraft
Hildebrandt Rutan/Defiant
Tail Number
N219DF
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN03LA010

After taking off on runway 26 and turning onto the crosswind leg, the pilot noticed the rear engine oil pressure was dropping. After turning onto the downwind leg, the pilot reduced power on the rear engine to idle. When he was on final approach and felt assured of landing on the runway, he shut down the rear engine. When he retarded the throttle on the front engine, he noticed power was not decreasing. He secured the front engine by turning off the ignition and glided to a landing but he forgot to lower the nose landing gear. The airplane touched down, the nose struck the runway, and the airplane skidded to a halt on the runway. The airplane's nose section, including the "Rhino" rudder, was crushed and several fuselage bulkheads were buckled. The front engine throttle cable was found broken, and there was a broken oil pressure sensor line in the rear engine.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to use the checklist, resulting in his forgetting to lower the nose landing gear. Contributing factors included the pilot's attention being diverted by the loss of oil pressure on the rear engine due to a broken oil pressure sensor line, and a broken throttle cable on the front engine, requiring an airborne shutdown using the ignition switches.

Full Narrative

On October 19, 2002, at 1241 mountain daylight time, a Hildebrandt Rutan/Defiant, N219DF, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine oil pressure at Front Range Airport, Watkins, Colorado. The private pilot, the sole occupant aboard, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The local flight originated at 1240. The following is based on the pilot's accident report. After taking off on runway 26 and turning onto the crosswind leg, the pilot noticed the rear engine oil pressure was dropping. After turning onto the downwind leg, the pilot reduced power on the rear engine to idle. When he was on final approach and felt assured of landing on runway 26, he shut down the rear engine. When he retarded the throttle on the front engine, he noticed power was not decreasing. He secured the front engine by turning off the ignition and glided to a landing but he forgot to lower the nose landing gear. The airplane touched down, the nose struck the runway, and the airplane skidded to a halt on the runway. The airplane's nose section, including the "Rhino" rudder, was crushed and several fuselage bulkheads were buckled. Examination of the airplane disclosed the front engine throttle cable had broken, and there was a broken oil pressure sensor line in the rear engine. In his accident report, the pilot noted that the accident could have been prevented if he had followed "better emergency procedures --- use of the emergency checklist."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:41 MDT
Nearest AirportFront Range (0nm)
Runway26
Runway Length8000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHildebrandt Rutan/Defiant
Tail NumberN219DF
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A1A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 37 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 23 C
Altimeter30.05 inHg
Observation Time18:43
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data