# NTSB CEN10CA541: Aerolite Bearcat, Mineola, TX, September 15, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 15, 2010, 07:20 local (12:20 UTC)
- Place: Mineola, TX
- Coordinates: 32.693332, -95.531112 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6933&lon=-95.5311&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 77313
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA541
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77313/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77313
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA541

## Probable cause

Failure of the oil injection pump resulting in a total loss of engine power.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng oil sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058550): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 130 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058550/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The non-certificated pilot was flying an unregistered light sport airplane when the airplane experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot stated that he attempted to deploy the ballistic parachute but was unable due to the parachute's safety ring not being properly attached. The pilot then attempted to perform a forced landing to a field but inadvertently stalled the airplane. The airplane impacted terrain, resulting in substantial damage. A postaccident examination revealed that the engine's oil injection pump failed and that the safety ring for the parachute had vibrated loose. The engine was not being maintained by a maintenance inspection program and maintenance documents were not available.

## Factual narrative

The non-certificated pilot was flying an unregistered light sport airplane when he experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot stated that he attempted to deploy the ballistic parachute but was unable due to the parachute's safety ring not being properly attached. The pilot then attempted to perform a forced landing to a field but inadvertently stalled the airplane. The airplane impacted terrain resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. An examination revealed that the engine's oil injection pump has failed and that the safety ring for the parachute had vibrated loose. The engine was not being maintained by a maintenance inspection program and maintenance documents were not available. The pilot was not aware that the airplane needed to be registered with the Federal Aviation Administration.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AEROLITE BEARCAT
- Category: Ultralight
- Serial number: UNK
- Engines: ROTAX 582UL 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airworthiness certificate: Unknown
- Departed: Mineola, TX
- Destination: Mineola, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; injuries: minor; seat: single; flight hours: 108 total, 108 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JDD

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 25, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77313. 459 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 459 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337974&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.

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