# NTSB CEN10CA327: Rose-Rhinehart A4-C, N14884, Longmont, CO, June 19, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 19, 2010, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Longmont, CO - Coordinates: 40.123054, -105.165832 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1231&lon=-105.1658&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 21, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 76359 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA327 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76359/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76359 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA327 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's failure to open the fuel valve, resulting a loss of engine power after takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's overall lack of experience in the airplane make/model. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system: fuel selector/shutoff valve](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Rose-Rhinehart A4-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md?model=7710110), [All aircraft, 176 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Rose-Rhinehart A4-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=7710110), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Rose-Rhinehart A4-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=7710110), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191); cases with it: [Rose-Rhinehart A4-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=7710110), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Rose-Rhinehart A4-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7710110), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis This was the pilot's first flight in the airplane make/model. Shortly after take off, the engine lost power. The airplane developed a high sink rate and "hit the ground hard in a flat attitude and bounced." The landing gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over. The pilot later discovered that the fuel valve, which was difficult to see due to its position underneath and forward of the instrument panel, was in the "OFF" position. ## Factual narrative The pilot said that the aircraft owner had invited him to fly his airplane, which was similar to the biplane he had flown for 400 hours over the past 28 years. This was to be his first time flying this particular airplane. After preflighting and familiarizing himself with the layout of controls and instruments, he started the engine. After completing his pre-takeoff checks and an engine run-up, the pilot taxied to the end of the runway and took off. After climbing to about 500 feet, the pilot “sensed the loss of power.” He lowered the nose and began looking for a place to land. The sink rate was high and it became apparent that he would be unable to clear trees ahead. The pilot aimed for a field below and the airplane “hit the ground hard in a flat attitude and bounced." The landing gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over. Later, the pilot said he checked the fuel valve --- "which was difficult to see due to its position underneath and forward of the instrument panel" --- and found the selector handle to be in the "OFF" position. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N14884](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N14884), registered now, S/N 508, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Rose-Rhinehart A4-C - Registry model: [Rose-Rhinehart A4-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/rose-rhinehart-a4-c) (registry code 7710110) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 508 - Airframe hours: 341 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: John B. Greiner - Registered owner: John B. Greiner - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special); Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, August 14, 2008, 51 hours before - Departed: 8CO7, Longmont, CO - Destination: 8CO7, Longmont, CO - Airport: 8CO7, Colorado Antique Field, runway 07, 3,400 × 150 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 19, 2009; seat: single; flight hours: 1,886 total, 0 in this make and model, 1,654 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F - Observed at: BJC ## 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 20100619037489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100619037489A), Jun 19, 2010: Rose-Rhineh A4-C, Longmont, CO, Substantial damage. On take off climb, aircraft lost power at 500 ft AGL (EST). Pilot attempted emergency landing in field, aircraft hit ground hard, collapsing main gear, bounced… ## Other investigations on N14884 (1) 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. - [NTSB SEA86LA138](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA138), Jun 3, 1986: Rose A4C (N14884), Winnemucca, NV, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 14, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76359. 180 KB in all. - NTSB Form 6120.1-2, Pilot-Operator Aircraft Accident Repor (item 1, .PDF, 161 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40332104&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120.1-2,%20Pilot-Operator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Repor-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 19 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40332105&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-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.