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September 21, 2007 · Temco GC-1B · N2455B

New Smyrna Bch, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 21, 2007
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
New Smyrna Bch, FL
Aircraft
Temco GC-1B
Tail Number
N2455B
Operator
Bruce M Smith
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC07LA233

After purchasing the airplane more than 2 1/2 years prior, the airplane was flown to an airport, where it remained until the date of the accident, when the pilot intended to reposition the airplane to another airport. The airplane experienced a loss of engine power during the initial climb after takeoff, and the pilot attempted a forced landing. During the landing, the airplane "cart-wheeled," and impacted trees. The forward portion of the fuselage, forward of the main spar, was completely separated. Examination of the main fuel tank vent line revealed that it was completely obstructed by a "mud dauber" nest. No other discrepancies with the engine or airframe were noted. The airplane had not been flown since its most recent annual inspection, which according to maintenance records, was performed about 8 months prior to the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, which was the result of a blocked fuel tank vent.

Full Narrative

On September 21, 2007, about 1305 eastern daylight time, a Temco GC-1B (Globe Swift), N2455B, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, after it experienced a loss of engine power during the initial climb after takeoff from the New Smyrna Beach Municipal Airport (EVB), New Smyrna Beach, Florida. The certificated commercial pilot was killed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the pilot purchased the airplane in January 2005. After purchase, the airplane was flown to EVB, where it remained until the date of the accident, when the pilot intended to reposition the airplane to Edgewater, Florida. Prior to takeoff, the pilot added 6 gallons of fuel to the main fuel tank, and subsequently departed runway 11, a 4,319-foot-long, 100-foot-wide, asphalt runway. The airplane experienced a loss of engine power during the initial climb after takeoff, and the pilot attempted a forced landing to a grassy area, parallel to runway 2. During the landing, the airplane "cart-wheeled," and impacted trees. The forward portion of the fuselage, forward of the main spar, was completely separated. Examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed the fuel selector was placed in the main tank position. There was no evidence of any usable fuel present in both the left and right wing fuel tanks, which were compromised. Examination of the main fuel tank vent line revealed that it was completely obstructed by a "mud dauber" nest. No other discrepancies with the engine or airframe were noted. The FAA inspector added that the airplane had not been flown since its most recent annual inspection, which according to maintenance records, was performed on January 19, 2007. The pilot reported 16,520 hours of total flight experience on his most recent application for an FAA third-class medical certificate, which was issued on November 29, 2006. An autopsy was performed on the pilot by the Volusia and Seminole County Medical Examiner’s Office, Daytona Beach, Florida, on September 25, 2007. The autopsy report revealed the cause of death as "blunt force head trauma." Toxicological testing was conducted on the pilot at the FAA Toxicology Accident Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, with no anomalies noted.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:05 EDT
Nearest AirportNew Smyrna Beach (0nm)
Runway11
Runway Length4319 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftTemco GC-1B
Tail NumberN2455B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBruce M Smith
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsTcm · IO-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 71 · Third Class · Fatal

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.15 inHg
Observation Time18:47
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data