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June 11, 2022 · Burrill Steven E A Plane NO Series · N51324

Middleboro, MA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 11, 2022
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Middleboro, MA
Aircraft
Burrill Steven E A Plane NO Series (2006)
Tail Number
N51324
Operator
Burrill Steven E
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA22LA270

The pilot was departing for a local flight after a successful engine run-up when the accident occurred. He reported that while starting a left turn the engine rpm fluctuated before the engine lost all power. While flying slightly above the trees, the airplane stall/mushed and descended into the trees, coming to rest in a nose-low attitude. Examination of the fuel supply system and postaccident operational testing of the engine using the same fuel as the time of the accident revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. Although the airplane was operated at a low power setting shortly before takeoff in environmental conditions that were favorable for serious icing at glide power, the engine was developing near full power during the subsequent takeoff. The empty carburetor bowl found during the postaccident examination likely occurred because of fuel leakage after coming to rest. The reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available evidence.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft power plant-Engine (reciprocating)-(general)-Unknown/Not determined

Full Narrative

On June 11, 2022, about 1500 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built A Plane, N51324, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Middleboro, Massachusetts. The private pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot stated that earlier that day he drained each wing fuel tank, added 6 gallons of fuel/oil equally divided into each wing fuel tank, and checked the vented fuel caps. He departed on an uneventful 15-minute flight and, after landing, added the remaining 2 gallons of fuel/oil. As part of his preflight check he did not find any water in the fuel tanks or from the lowest part of the fuel system, and reported a normal rpm drop during the check of the dual ignition system as part of his run-up. Prior to departure he performed a full-throttle pass on the runway with no discrepancies noted. He then taxied back to the departure end of the runway where he initiated the takeoff, noting that the engine rpm was at 6,300. After becoming airborne and at the start of a left turn, the engine began to “die out,” which he described as the engine rpm dropping to 4,000, increasing to 5,000, then decreasing to 3,000 before the engine completely lost power. At that time the airplane was 50 ft above the treetops. He glided but when the flight was 20 ft above the treetops the airplane dropped consistent with a stall/mush and descended into a tree. The airplane descended to the ground in a near-vertical, nose-low attitude that resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. He shut off the fuel before getting out of the airplane. Following recovery of the airplane, a sample of fuel taken from one of the fuel tanks contained drops of water, and the carburetor bowl was empty. There were no obstructions of the fuel supply system from each wing fuel tank to the fuel shut-off valve, which was installed about 1 ft from the in-line fuel filter. After installing a different propeller, the pilot plumbed a temporary fuel supply into the fuel filter inlet. Using the same fuel that was in the airplane’s fuel tanks at the time of the accident, the engine was started and ran using the manifold-driven pneumatic fuel pump to between 4,000 and 4,500 rpm (safety concerns prevented full-throttle application). Although a check of the dual ignition system was not performed during the postaccident engine run, the pilot reported no discrepancies. The temperature and dewpoint 8 minutes before the accident at an airport about 6 nm east-northeast from the accident site were 75°F and 50°F, respectively. A review of Federal Aviation Administration Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) CE-09-35, Carburetor Ice Prevention, revealed the environmental conditions about the time of the accident were favorable for serious icing at glide power.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 EDT
Nearest AirportFisher'S Field (0.2nm WNW)
Runway35
Runway Length2650 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBurrill Steven E A Plane NO Series
Tail NumberN51324
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBurrill Steven E
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 503 · Reciprocating · 50
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 66 · None · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 F
Altimeter29.90 inHg
Observation Time14:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data