# NTSB CEN10CA254: Nelson Steven Paul WAG-AEROSPORTSMAN2+2, N124SN, Milica, MN, May 17, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 16, 2010, 19:45 local (May 17, 2010, 00:45 UTC) - Place: Milica, MN - Coordinates: 45.77222, -93.631942 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7722&lon=-93.6319&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 21, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 76029 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA254 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76029/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76029 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA254 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's inadequate in-flight fuel management. ## 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 · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Nelson Steven Paul WAG-AEROSPORTSMAN2+2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=05628HI), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Nelson Steven Paul WAG-AEROSPORTSMAN2+2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=05628HI), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/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 starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Nelson Steven Paul WAG-AEROSPORTSMAN2+2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=05628HI), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Nelson Steven Paul WAG-AEROSPORTSMAN2+2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05628HI), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Nelson Steven Paul WAG-AEROSPORTSMAN2+2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05628HI), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he and his passenger had flown for approximately 1.5 hours before returning to his airport for landing. Prior to landing, the pilot became distracted by another aircraft within the vicinity of the airport and he forgot to switch to "both" tanks on the fuel selector. During the landing, the airplane bounced and the pilot executed a go-around in order to perform "a better landing." While executing the go-around the engine lost power. The pilot attempted to land on the remaining runway; however, the airplane touched down in a field and the left main landing gear collapsed. The pilot reported that he forgot to switch fuel tanks during the flight and that was the reason the engine lost power. Examination of the airplane revealed the left main wing spar was bent. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he and his passenger had flown for approximately 1.5 hours prior to returning to his airport for landing. Prior to landing, the pilot became distracted by other aircraft within the vicinity of the airport and "[the pilot] forgot to switch to 'both' [tanks] on the fuel selector." During the landing, the airplane bounced and the pilot executed a go-around in order to perform "a better landing." While executing a go-around, the engine lost power. The pilot attempted to land on the remaining runway; however, the airplane touched down in a field and the left main landing gear collapsed. The pilot reported that he forgot to switch fuel tanks during the flight and that was the reason the engine lost power. Examination of the airplane revealed the left main wing spar was bent. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N124SN](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N124SN), registered now, S/N WA 674 SN (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: NELSON STEVEN PAUL WAG-AEROSPORTSMAN2+2 - Registry model: [Nelson Steven Paul WAG-AEROSPORTSMAN2+2](https://openairdocs.org/model/nelson-steven-paul-wag-aerosportsman2-plus-2) (registry code 05628HI) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-series) (registry code 42389, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: WA 674 SN - Airframe hours: 60 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Nelson Steven P - Registered owner: Nelson Steven P - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, June 18, 2009 - Departed: 18Y, Milica, MN - Destination: 18Y, Milica, MN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 9, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 398 total, 60 in this make and model, 349 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F ## 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 20100516004929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100516004929A), May 16, 2010: Nelson Stev WAG-AEROSPO, Milaca, MN, Substantial damage. Pilot steven paul Nelson was on a pleasure flight with his father. He was performing a touch and go at Milaca MN (18Y) on runway 16, on initial climb out the… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 9, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76029. 578 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 578 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331221&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.