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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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December 2, 2015 · Pipistrel Virus NO Series · N145VS

Englewood, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 2, 2015
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Englewood, CO
Aircraft
Pipistrel Virus NO Series (2011)
Tail Number
N145VS
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN16LA053

The commercial pilot was conducting a personal cross-country flight. The pilot reported that, while en route to the destination airport, he noted that the right tank's fuel level was not changing and that it did not appear that fuel was draining from the right tank. The fuel remaining in the left fuel tank was not adequate to complete the planned flight. The pilot chose to divert to a closer airport, and while he was preparing to land, the engine lost power. The pilot performed a forced landing to a field, during which the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. Contaminants consistent with insects and leaves were recovered from the right fuel tank and fuel lines. The contamination had prevented the fuel from flowing from the right fuel tank to the engine and resulted in the loss of engine power. No other anomalies were noted that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of contamination in the right fuel tank and fuel lines, which prevented fuel from flowing to the engine.

Full Narrative

On December 1, 2015, about 1950 mountain standard time, a Pipistrel Virus motorglider, N145VS, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Centennial Airport (KAPA), Englewood, Colorado. The commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The cross country flight departed Sayre Municipal Airport (3O4), Sayre, Oklahoma, about 1710, was en route to Erie Municipal Airport (KEIK), Erie, Colorado, and diverted to KAPA. While en route, the pilot assessed that the fuel level from right tank was not changing. It did not appear that fuel was draining from the right tank and the fuel remaining in the left fuel tank was not adequate to complete the flight as previously planned. The pilot requested to divert to KAPA and while preparing to land the engine lost power. The pilot performed a forced landing to a field during which the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The lower fuselage and the engine mount were substantially damaged. The airframe, engine, and fuel system were examined under the auspices of the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge. The sight gauges for the left and right fuel tanks and indicated capacity of the left and right fuel tanks were accurate. Visible contaminants, consistent with insect(s) and leaves, were recovered from the right fuel tank and fuel lines. Once the contaminants were removed fuel flowed freely from the right fuel tank. The examination of the engine, airframe, and remaining systems revealed no anomalies.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:50 MST
Nearest AirportCentennial (1nm ESE)
Runway28
Runway Length4800 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPipistrel Virus NO Series
Tail NumberN145VS
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · Reciprocating
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 21 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightNight
Wind210° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point34 C / 12 C
Altimeter30.03 inHg
Observation Time14:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data