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May 11, 2005 · Zeidman RV-6A · N42RZ

Kennett Square, PA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 11, 2005
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Kennett Square, PA
Aircraft
Zeidman RV-6A
Tail Number
N42RZ
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC05LA081

The homebuilt airplane was in cruise flight when it experienced a loss of engine power, after the pilot cycled the auxiliary fuel pump switch. The pilot turned toward a nearby airport, switched fuel tanks, placed the mixture control to full rich, and confirmed that the fuel pump was in the "on" position. The airplane continued to descend and the pilot performed a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the airplane struck a ditch, and flipped over. Initial examination of the engine did not reveal any pre-impact malfunctions. However, the pilot reported that subsequent troubleshooting of the electric auxiliary fuel pump revealed that it operated intermittently and restricted fuel flow to the carburetor.

NTSB Probable Cause

A fuel pump malfunction, as reported by the pilot, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

Full Narrative

On May 11, 2005, about 1915 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt RV-6A, N42RZ, experienced a loss of engine power while in cruise flight, and was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that on the day prior to the accident, he experienced difficulty restarting the engine and suspected a vapor lock problem. He installed a blast tube to aid the cooling of the engine fuel pump and conducted a test flight the following day. During the test flight, while the airplane was at 2,000 feet, it experienced a loss of engine power, after the pilot cycled the auxiliary fuel pump switch. The pilot turned toward a nearby airport, switched fuel tanks, placed the mixture control to full rich, and confirmed that the fuel pump was in the "on" position. The airplane continued to descend and the pilot performed a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the airplane struck a ditch, and flipped over. Examination of the engine by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal pre-impact malfunctions. The airplane was equipped with a facet cube-style electric auxiliary fuel pump. The pilot reported that subsequent troubleshooting of the fuel pump revealed that it operated intermittently and restricted fuel flow to the carburetor.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:15 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftZeidman RV-6A
Tail NumberN42RZ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 57 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 57
Altimeter29.93 inHg
Observation Time23:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data