# NTSB CEN09CA338: Garrett Rans S-6ES, N213KT, Williamsburg, MI, June 5, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 5, 2009, 14:25 local (18:25 UTC) - Place: Williamsburg, MI - Coordinates: 44.743057, -85.40361 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7431&lon=-85.4036&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 19, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - Grand Rapids FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73968 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA338 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73968/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73968 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA338 ## Probable cause The pilot/builder's improper installation of the fuel line cable-tie, which resulted in fuel starvation and the loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Maintenance: installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035): Personnel issues › Task performance · Owner/builder (probable cause); cases with it: [Garrett Donald W RANS S-6ES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md?model=05622KH), [All aircraft, 371 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel distribution](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Garrett Donald W RANS S-6ES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md?model=05622KH), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel distribution](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Garrett Donald W RANS S-6ES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md?model=05622KH), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Garrett Donald W RANS S-6ES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=05622KH), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft maintenance event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040); cases with it: [Garrett Donald W RANS S-6ES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md?model=05622KH), [All aircraft, 484 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191); cases with it: [Garrett Donald W RANS S-6ES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=05622KH), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Garrett Donald W RANS S-6ES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05622KH), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Garrett Donald W RANS S-6ES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05622KH), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The amateur-built airplane departed on the cross-country flight with 12 gallons of fuel. The left and right wing tanks contained 5 and 7 gallons of fuel, respectively. The outbound flight leg was completed without any reported problems. The pilot did not refuel before departing on the return flight. On the return flight, about 8 miles from the destination airport, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot was unable restart the engine and subsequently performed a forced landing into a forest clearing. The outboard half of the left wing was damaged during the landing when it impacted a tree. After the accident, the right fuel tank still contained 7 gallons of fuel. The left fuel tank was void of any usable fuel. Examination of the fuel tanks did not reveal any ruptures or breaches of any kind. The airplane was not equipped with a fuel tank selector. The output fuel lines for the right and left fuel tanks fed into a T-fitting which combined the fuel flow into a single line that serviced the engine. The output fuel lines from each tank were secured to airframe structural tubing with nylon cable-ties. The output fuel line from the right tank was pinched closed where one of the cable-ties was installed, restricting the fuel flow from the right tank. According to the pilot/builder, he finished installing wingtip navigation and strobe lights about 1.4 hours flight time before the accident. During the light installation, he routed and secured the associated electrical wiring in the same area as the fuel tank output lines. The pilot/builder stated that he may have tightened the fuel line cable-tie while he installed the navigation/strobe lights. ## Factual narrative The amateur-built airplane departed on the cross-country flight with 12 gallons of fuel. The left and right wing tanks contained 5 and 7 gallons of fuel, respectively. The outbound flight leg was completed without any reported problems. The pilot did not refuel before departing on the return flight. On the return flight, about 8 miles from the destination airport, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot was unable restart the engine and subsequently performed a forced landing into a forest clearing. The outboard half of the left wing was damaged during the landing when it impacted a tree. After the accident, the right fuel tank still contained 7 gallons of fuel. The left fuel tank was void of any usable fuel. Examination of the fuel tanks did not reveal any ruptures or breaches of any kind. The airplane was not equipped with a fuel tank selector. The output fuel lines for the right and left fuel tanks fed into a T-fitting which combined the fuel flow into a single line that serviced the engine. The output fuel lines from each tank were secured to airframe structural tubing with nylon cable-ties. The output fuel line from the right tank was pinched closed where one of the cable-ties was installed, restricting the fuel flow from the right tank. According to the pilot/builder, he finished installing wingtip navigation and strobe lights about 1.4 hours flight time before the accident. During the light installation, he routed and secured the associated electrical wiring in the same area as the fuel tank output lines. The pilot/builder stated that he may have tightened the fuel line cable-tie while he installed the navigation/strobe lights. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N213KT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N213KT-2010-01-14), registration cancelled 2010-01-14, S/N 07041600, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Garrett Rans S-6ES - Registry model: [Garrett Donald W RANS S-6ES](https://openairdocs.org/model/garrett-donald-w-rans-s-6es) (registry code 05622KH) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912S series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912s-series) (registry code 55570, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 07041600 - Airframe hours: 82 - Engines: Rotax 912 ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, September 2, 2008 - Departed: KHTL, Houghton Lake, MI - Destination: KTVC, Traverse City, MI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 82; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 31, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 1,951 total, 92 in this make and model, 1,835 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 10 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.78 inHg - Observed at: KTVC, 8 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 20090605011259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090605011259A), Jun 5, 2009: Amtr RANSS6ES, Williamsburg, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft's left fuel tank was depleted. Aircraft's right fuel tank had 7-8 gallons of fuel. ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 19, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73968. 2.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 365 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317550&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot/Builder Statement Concerning Fuel Line Maintenance (item 2, .PDF, 88 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317551&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FBuilder%20Statement%20Concerning%20Fuel%20Line%20Maintenance-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum of Conversation (Local Mechanic/IA) (item 3, .PDF, 75 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317552&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Conversation%20(Local%20Mechanic%2FIA)-Master.PDF - Photo 01. Wreckage Overview (item 4, .PDF, 209 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317553&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2001.%20%20Wreckage%20Overview-Master.PDF - Photo 02. Fuel Lines (Looking Aft) (item 5, .PDF, 725 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317554&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2002.%20%20Fuel%20Lines%20(Looking%20Aft)-Master.PDF - Photo 03. Pinched Fuel Line (Right Fuel Tank Output Fuel Line) (item 6, .PDF, 685 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317555&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2003.%20%20Pinched%20Fuel%20Line%20(Right%20Fuel%20Tank%20Output%20Fuel%20Line)-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.