# NTSB ANC18LA038: James Wiebe Belite Pipper, N3748, Anchorage, AK, May 24, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 23, 2018, 16:30 local (May 24, 2018, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Anchorage, AK - Coordinates: 61.190277, -149.969451 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1903&lon=-149.9695&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 3, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97311 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC18LA038 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97311/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97311 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18LA038 ## Probable cause An inadequate fuel supply to the engine, which resulted in a total loss of engine power and subsequent impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [James Wiebe BELITE PIPPER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=056352C), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel distribution](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Design (probable cause); cases with it: [James Wiebe BELITE PIPPER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md?model=056352C), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) (defining event); cases with it: [James Wiebe BELITE PIPPER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md?model=056352C), [All aircraft, 361 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [James Wiebe BELITE PIPPER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056352C), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was conducting a postmaintenance flight in the experimental amateur-built airplane in the traffic pattern. While landing, he applied full throttle to go around, but when the airplane was about 150 ft above ground level, the engine lost total power. During the forced landing, the airplane landed long, bounced, descended into a fence, and came to rest inverted, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The engine had been altered from its original state by the addition of an after-market, high-displacement cylinder/piston kit to increase performance and horsepower of the engine. The kit, as installed, replaced the crankshaft, camshaft, engine gaskets, cylinders, and pistons. The pilot stated that he had been discussing with the kit manufacturer a problem with fuel flow to the engine and, thus, altered the fuel supply system with larger fuel lines. No modifications were made to the carburetors. Because the carburetors were not altered, it is likely that the engine was not receiving enough fuel for full power operation, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during the go-around attempt. ## Factual narrative On May 23, 2018, about 1630 Alaska daylight time, a Belite Pipper, experimental amateur built airplane, N3748, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing, following a total loss of engine power at Lake Hood Seaplane Base (PLHD), Anchorage, Alaska. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by the pilot as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 visual flight rules flight when the accident occurred. The private pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight departed PLHD for a local flight in the airport traffic pattern. According to the pilot, the accident flight was the first flight since maintenance was performed on the airplane's fuel system. The pilot stated that he departed Runway 32 and entered a right downwind to remain in the traffic pattern. While on final approach to Runway 32, he elected to execute a go-around. After advancing the throttle, when about 150 ft above ground level (AGL), all engine power was lost. He said the engine quit like there was no fuel. He did not see or hear anything that would be consistent with a mechanical failure. During the forced landing, the pilot attempted to land back on the runway, but touched down between the runway end lights, bounced, and became airborne again. With no remaining runway surface available, the airplane descended into a fence and came to rest inverted in marshy terrain about 375 ft from the departure end of Runway 32. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. A post-accident examination of the Rotax 912 UL2 engine was performed by the NTSB investigator-in-charge along with another NTSB investigator. After removing the rocker box covers, all rocker arms exhibited discoloration consistent with high heat exposure. When the number 4 cylinder was removed, the valve was discovered fractured and a witness mark was present consistent with piston contact. The engine had been altered from its original state by the addition of an Edge Performance Big Bore Kit. The kit, considered a high displacement cylinder/piston kit, was to increase performance and horsepower of the engine. As a result of the modification, the fuel requirements increased over that of a stock 912 UL2 engine. As installed, the kit replaced the crankshaft, camshaft, engine gaskets, cylinders and pistons. The fuel supply system remained the same and no modifications were made to the carburetors. The pilot stated in a phone conversation that he had been discussing with the kit manufacturer a problem with fuel flow to the engine, which is why he was performing maintenance on it the day before and day of the accident. He said he had replaced all fuel lines and fittings with larger fuel lines but made no changes to the carburetors. During subsequent ground tests, fuel flow at the carburetors was measured between 1.8 – 2.0 psi. Prior to the above-mentioned maintenance, after allowing theengine to warm up, when he would apply full power, the engine would quit and the carburetor bowls would be empty. The pilot stated that since the engine continued to run after changing the fuel lines, the "ground tests seemed good with the exception of the fuel pump pressure." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3748](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3748-2019-11-15), registration cancelled 2019-11-15, S/N 001, built 2017 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: JAMES WIEBE BELITE PIPPER (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [James Wiebe BELITE PIPPER](https://openairdocs.org/model/james-wiebe-belite-pipper) (registry code 056352C) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [HKS 700E](https://openairdocs.org/engine/hks-700e) (registry code 33777, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Year built: 2017 - Airframe hours: 156 - Engines: Rotax 912UL2 122 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, April 27, 2018 - Departed: LHD, Anchorage, AK - Destination: LHD, Anchorage, AK - Airport: LHD, Lake Hood, runway 32, 2,200 × 75 ft, dirt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed; last flight review March 26, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,076 total, 222 in this make and model, 2,007 as pilot in command, 66 in the last 90 days, 46 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 18 knots, gusting 26 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.76 inHg - Observed at: PALH, 1 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20180523005849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180523005849A), May 23, 2018: James Wiebe BELITE PIPPER, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. The pilot stated via a phone interview that the event flight was a post maintenance flight. The pilot stated that on a previous flight the aircraft… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 23, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97311. 4.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479382&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479383&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot)-Master.PDF - Photos (item 3, .PDF, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479384&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.