# NTSB ATL99LA093: Robert W. Ferrell Titan Tornado II, N624RF, Ashboro, NC, May 22, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 22, 1999, 14:50 local (18:50 UTC) - Place: Ashboro, NC - Coordinates: 35.850341, -79.570877 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8503&lon=-79.5709&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 12, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46350 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL99LA093 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46350/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA093 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Factors were weather conditions favorable for the formation of carburetor ice. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing - object - utility pole - object - other ## Analysis The pilot stated that approximately 24 miles from his destination, he noticed an area of thunderstorm activity between his position and his destination. The pilot reversed course and elected to land at an airport that he had overflown. During the course reversal the engine lost power. He decided to attempt a forced landing on a nearby paved road. During the forced landing, he applied full brakes and tried to stop the airplane before coming to a sharp curve in the road. He stated that he 'dropped a wheel off to the right of the road, hoping to slow down in the grass.' The airplane subsequently departed the road, colliding with a telephone pole and a mailbox, and rolled over on its left side. The post-accident examination of the airplane and the engine assembly failed to disclose a mechanical problem. During the engine examination, fuel was traced from the fuel tank to the carburetor. Several gallons of aviation fuel were recovered from the fuel system. The internal examination of the engine disclosed that the piston tops were clean, and a film of engine oil was on the cylinder walls. Engine drive train rotation was also established. A review of weather data disclosed that weather conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice. ## Factual narrative On May 22, 1999, at 1450 Eastern Daylight Time, a Robert W. Farrell, Titan Tornado II, N624RF, collided with a telephone pole and a mailbox during an emergency landing on a road near Ashboro, North Carolina after an engine failure. The personal flight was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the private pilot was not injured. The flight departed Greenville, South Carolina, at 1300 Eastern Daylight Time. The pilot reported that Liberty, North Carolina, was the flight's destination. The pilot stated that approximately 24 miles from his destination, he noticed an area of thunderstorm activity between his position and his destination. At that point, the pilot reversed course and elected to land at an airport that he had flown over moments before. After the pilot executed an 180-degree turn, the engine lost power. The pilot decided to attempt an emergency landing on a nearby paved road. During landing, according to the pilot, he applied full brakes and tried to stop the airplane before coming to a sharp curve in the road. The pilot stated that he "dropped a wheel off to the right of the road, hoping to slow down in the grass." The airplane subsequently departed the road, colliding with a telephone pole and a mailbox, and rolled over on its left side. Additionally, the pilot reported that as he cruised at 2500 feet, he noticed a lowering of the out side air temperature as the neared the location of the accident site. He stated that his decision to divert was based upon weather information received from flight watch. The post-accident examination of the airplane and the engine assembly failed to disclose a mechanical problem. During the engine examination, fuel was traced from the fuel tank to the carburetor. Several gallons of aviation fuel were recovered from the fuel system. The internal examination of the engine disclosed that the piston tops were clean, and a film of engine oil was on the cylinder walls. Engine drive train rotation was also established. A review of weather data disclosed that weather conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice. Weather data from the nearest reporting facility showed a temperature of 82 degrees, and a dew point of 52 at the approximate time of the accident. The pilot reported approaching an area of thunderstorm activity. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N624RF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N624RF-1999-08-11), registration cancelled 1999-08-11, S/N D94582COHK0098 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robert W. Ferrell TITAN TORNADO II (TITAN TORN) - Registry model: [Ferrell Robert W II TITAN TORNADO II 2PL](https://openairdocs.org/model/ferrell-robert-w-ii-titan-tornado-ii-2pl) (registry code 05604B4) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: D94582COHK00 - Airframe hours: 112 - Engines: Rotax 582/C-GEAR 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert W. Farrell - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: GRD, GREENVILLE, SC - Destination: 2A5, LIBERTY, NC ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 366 total, 112 in this make and model, 366 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 8 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: W44, 4 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 19990522023909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990522023909A), May 22, 1999: Amtr TITANTORNADO, Ashboro, NC, Substantial damage. (.19) On may 22, 1999, at 1450 eastern daylight time, a robert w. farrell, titan tornado ii, N624RF, collided with a telephone pole and a mailbox during an… 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.