# NTSB ATL06LA051: Eakle R Grandin Jr Talon XP, N97GE, Auburn, AL, March 12, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 12, 2006, 17:05 local (23:05 UTC) - Place: Auburn, AL - Coordinates: 32.60889, -85.440834 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6089&lon=-85.4408&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report July 31, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Birmingham FSDO-09 - NTSB case key (mKey): 63367 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL06LA051 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63367/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL06LA051 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall. A factor was the improper maintenance inspection of the engine fuel lines resulting in loss of engine power due to a loose fuel line and subsequent fuel starvation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, climb - maintenance,inspection - improper, other maintenance personnel - fuel system,line fitting - loose (contributing factor) - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot stated to a friend before he was transported to a local area hospital that he departed from a grass strip at Auburn Alabama. The airplane climbed to about 200 feet and the engine began to lose power. The pilot made a 180-degree turn to the left in an attempt to return to the airport. The airplane stalled and collided with the ground in a nose down attitude. Examination of the fuel system by the builder, and an airframe & powerplant mechanic revealed that fuel was leaking from the inlet side of the fuel pump on the forward side of the engine-mounted pump. Further examination of the fuel system lines revealed that the flexible urethane fuel line was hardened and leaking where the line was attached over a male barb fitting and secured with a 1/8-inch plastic wire tie. Behind the tie was an additional .32 safety wire wrapping with the end secured with a ten-turn twist. According to the builder, the use of urethane lines while common among light planes has proven to those in the field to require frequent replacement due to the ultra violet exposure, the effects of aging, and the repetitive movement. ## Factual narrative On March 12, 2006, at 1705 central standard time, an experimental Talon XP, N97GE, registered to and operated by a private owner, as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with the ground during climb out from a private airstrip in Auburn, Alabama. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The private rated pilot received serious injuries. The airplane received substantial. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The builder of the airplane, and a friend of the pilot stated,, he spoke to the pilot after the accident. The pilot stated that he departed on a 230 degrees heading from the grass strip at Auburn Alabama. The pilot stated after reaching an altitude of approximately 200 feet the engine began to lose power. The pilot stated he made a 180-degree turn to the left in an attempt to return to the airport, and the airplane stalled and collided with the ground in a nose-down attitude. The airport manager stated, he heard the experimental airplane take-off from the airport. Shortly after takeoff he heard the ballistic parachute system deploy. He did not see the accident. He went to the accident site, called emergency personnel, and assisted the pilot while they waited for emergency personnel to arrive. Examination of the fuel system by the builder, and an airframe & power plant mechanic revealed that fuel was leaking from the inlet side of the fuel pump on the forward side of the engine-mounted pump. Further examination of the fuel system lines revealed that the flexible urethane fuel line was hardened and leaking where the line was attached over a male barb fitting and secured with a 1/8-inch plastic wire tie. Behind the tie was an additional .32 safety wire wrapping with the end secured with a ten-turn twist. According to the builder, the use of urethane lines while common among light planes has proven to those in the field to require frequent replacement due to ultra violet light exposure, the effects of aging, and the repetitive movement. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N97GE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N97GE-2012-09-21), registration cancelled 2012-09-21, S/N 96XP582GA4, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Eakle R Grandin Jr Talon XP - Registry model: [Eakle R Grandin JR TALON XP](https://openairdocs.org/model/eakle-r-grandin-jr-talon-xp) (registry code 05604JT) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 96XP582GA4 - Engines: Rotax 09050 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Eakle R Grandin Jr - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: AUO, AUBURN, AL - Destination: AUO, AUBURN, AL - Airport: AUO, Auburn-Opelika Robert G. Pitts, runway 23, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; seat: front; flight hours: 200 total, 200 in this make and model, 200 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 5 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: AUO ## 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 20060312005359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060312005359A), Mar 12, 2006: Amtr TALONXP, Smiths, AL, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot [privacy data omitted] was taking off from runway 23 at jones airfield, smithstation, Alabama when he lost power and collided with the ground.… 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.