# Accident 20210520009609A: Robert Trembly JA20 HIGHLANDER, Central City, KY, May 20, 2021

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 20, 2021, 11:30 local time
- Place: Central City, KY
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 37.2939° N, 87.1233° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2939&lon=-87.1233&mi=10
- Aircraft: N743BT, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N743BT-2022-07-30) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Robert Trembly JA20 HIGHLANDER (registry code 05638JD, https://openairdocs.org/model/robert-trembly-ja20-highlander) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Rotax 912ULS series (registry code 55572, https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBERT TREMBLY JA20 HIGHLANDER
- Reported engine: ROTAX 912ULS SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 483 total, 483 in this make and model, 17 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA21LA228](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA228) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210520009609A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

THE PILOT HAD PLANNED A FLIGHT FROM KCEU TO KMTV WITH A PLANNED FUEL STOP AT KBWG.  HE STOPPED AT BWG AS PLANNED AND, ACCORDING TO THE RECEIPT, ADDED 10.5 GALLONS OF FUEL AT 1511 UTC.  THE FUEL PUMP IS SELF SERVE.  THE PILOT DEPARTED BWG SHORTLY AFTER THAT (APPROXIMATELY 1530 UTC).  TAKEOFF AND CLIMBOUT WERE UNEVENTFUL AND THE AIRPLANE LEVELED OFF AT PLANNED CRUISE ALTITUDE OF 2500' MSL.

APPROXIMATELY 1 HOUR AFTER DEPARTURE FROM BWG, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED PRODUCING POWER AND THE PROPELLER STOPPED TURNING.  THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A RESTART WITH THE ELECTRIC STARTER.  ALTHOUGH THE PROPELLER WOULD TURN, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART.  THE PILOT PERFORMED AN EMERGENCY LANDING INTO A LARGE SOY BEAN FIELD, BUT WHEN THE NOSE WHEEL CONTACTED THE GROUND, IT BECAME STUCK AND THE AIRPLANE FLIPPED OVER, CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.  WHEN SALVAGE CREWS ARRIVED, THE AIRCRAFT WAS UPRIGHTED, AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE LEFT FUEL CAP WITH MISSING.  A SEARCH OF THE SITE DID NOT FIND THE FUEL CAP.  THE CAP WAS LATER FOUND NEXT TO THE FUEL PUMP AT BWG.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA21LA228](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA228), May 20, 2021: Robert Trembly JA20 Highlander (N743BT), Central City, KY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to properly secure the left wing fuel cap before flight, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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