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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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NTSB Report

August 21, 2004 · Fall Cub · N25MF

Rockville, IN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 21, 2004
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Rockville, IN
Aircraft
Fall Cub
Tail Number
N25MF
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI04LA245

The experimental amateur-built airplane sustained substantial damage on impact with terrain during a forced landing at a private airstrip following an in-flight loss of engine power. The pilot and passenger were hospitalized with serious injuries. The pilot's accident report stated, "I flew a 3-4 hundred foot pass down runway (W to E) at a fairly low power setting to assess the strip and its condition. As I started a [right hand] turn to go west so that I could go back to land east, the engine quit (it windmilled). ... I turned sharply west to at least land in cornfield [and] possibly runway. ... [The airplane] was settling, however and [left] gear drug thru top of 75' tree slowing me considerably. [The airplane] hit corn slightly nose down in flat attitude." Concerning the loss of engine power, the pilot stated, "Engine quit - fuel starvation, I feel caused by unporting fuel pickups." The pilot's safety recommendation was, "Fuel system need to be reevaluated, possibly rerouting fuel lines from tanks, adding a fuel pump (gravity fed) and/or more fuel pickup points. [Approximately] 12 gal. of fuel showed on fuel sight [glasses] at time engine quit."

NTSB Probable Cause

The fuel starvation encountered due to the builder's inadequate fuel system design and the subsequent loss of engine power during a maneuver for the landing approach. Factors were the tree and corn.

Full Narrative

On August 21, 2004, about 1330 eastern standard time, an experimental amateur-built Fall Cub, N25MF, sustained substantial damage on impact with terrain during a forced landing at a private airstrip following an in-flight loss of engine power near Rockville, Indiana. The personal flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was on file. The pilot and passenger were hospitalized with serious injuries. The flight originated from Post-Air Airport (7L8), near Indianapolis, Indiana, about 1300, and was maneuvering for an approach to the private airstrip at the time of the loss of engine power. The pilot's accident report stated: Left 7L8 (Indianapolis home base) at about 13:00 EST ... . Had not landed at this strip with this [airplane] yet (required Phase I hours had just been flown off) so I flew a 3-4 hundred foot pass down runway (W to E) at a fairly low power setting to assess the strip and its condition. As I started a [right hand] turn to go west so that I could go back to land east, the engine quit (it windmilled). There was no possible place to land going [East], so I again checked tanks to 'both on' [and] fuel gauges 6-7 gal/side in [main fuel tanks]. I turned sharply west to at least land in cornfield [and] possibly runway. Pumped throttle again, engine surged briefly and I thought I could make field. [The airplane] was settling, however and [left] gear drug thru top of 75' tree slowing me considerably. [The airplane] hit corn slightly nose down in flat attitude. No fire. A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector examined the wreckage. During the examination he observed that no fuel was present in the carburetor. No pre-impact anomalies were found. Concerning the loss of engine power, the pilot stated, "Engine quit - fuel starvation, I feel caused by unporting fuel pickups." The pilot's safety recommendation was, "Fuel system need to be reevaluated, possibly rerouting fuel lines from tanks, adding a fuel pump (gravity fed) and/or more fuel pickup points. [Approximately] 12 gal. of fuel showed on fuel sight [glasses] at time engine quit."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway27
Runway Length1800 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftFall Cub
Tail NumberN25MF
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360 · Reciprocating · 190
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 59 · Second Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter30.05 inHg
Observation Time18:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data