# NTSB CEN10LA004: Temco D-16A, N124N, Eden Prairie, MN, October 5, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 5, 2009, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Eden Prairie, MN - Coordinates: 44.82722, -93.456947 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8272&lon=-93.4569&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report May 28, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Fargo FSDO - ADs cited in the narratives: [AD 2008-05-14](https://openairdocs.org/ad/2008-05-14) (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB case key (mKey): 74853 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10LA004 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74853/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74853 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA004 ## Probable cause A total loss of left engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the failure of the engine's electric fuel pump end cap gasket, which allowed air to be drawn into the fuel system. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine fuel and control: fuel pump](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057314): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Temco D-16A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057314/cases.md?model=9230604), [All aircraft, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057314/cases.md) - [Engine fuel and control: fuel pump](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057314): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Fatigue/wear/corrosion (probable cause); cases with it: [Temco D-16A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057314/cases.md?model=9230604), [All aircraft, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057314/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330); cases with it: [Temco D-16A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=9230604), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Temco D-16A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=9230604), [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); cases with it: [Temco D-16A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=9230604), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Temco D-16A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=9230604), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airplane had just undergone its annual maintenance inspection. The pilot reported that he was in cruise flight in the twin-engine airplane about 600 feet above ground level when the left engine stopped producing power. He completed the shutdown checklist for the left engine and feathered the propeller. He applied full power to the right engine, but the airplane continued to lose altitude. He executed a forced landing to a large wooded area away from houses. Numerous witnesses reported that they heard and/or saw the airplane as it flew overhead at a low altitude. All reported hearing a loud engine noise without any sputtering. One witness reported that the left propeller was not turning. The inspection of the airplane revealed that the electric fuel pump found in the left engine nacelle exhibited blue staining on the top surface of the pump. The blue staining was consistent with a fuel leak. The test of the electric fuel pump revealed that the end cap gasket had failed, which allowed air to be drawn into the system by both the electric and engine-driven fuel pumps, thus starving the engine of fuel. ## Factual narrative On October 5, 2009, at 1200 central daylight time, a twin-engine Temco D-16A (“Twin Navion”), N124N, sustained substantial damage when it impacted tress and terrain near Eden Prairie, Minnesota, after a loss of power in one engine. A post impact fire consumed part of the airplane. The pilot, the sole occupant, was seriously injured. The 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight departed Anoka, Minnesota, at 1140 and was en route to Flying Cloud Airport (FMC), Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that the airplane had just undergone its annual maintenance inspection, and that he was flying it back to FCM. He reported that about 8 miles from FCM, the left engine stopped producing power. He completed the shutdown checklist for the left engine and feathered the propeller. He applied full power to the right engine, but the airplane continued to lose altitude. There was no suitable landing area so he executed a forced landing to a large wooded area away from houses. He lowered the gear during the forced landing and pulled the right engine to idle upon impact with the trees. A small fire on the right side of the airplane ensued but was extinguished. Numerous witnesses reported that they heard and/or saw the airplane as it flew overhead at a low altitude. All reported hearing a loud engine noise without any sputtering. One witness reported that the left propeller was not turning. Witnesses who rushed to the accident site reported that they had to break the airplane’s canopy glass in order to get it open. Then they assisted the pilot in exiting the airplane. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector interviewed the pilot and examined the airplane. The pilot reported that he departed with 80 – 85 gallons of fuel on board with the center tank full. During cruise flight, the fuel selector was positioned on the center fuel tank. The pilot reported that he was cruising at 1,500 feet above mean sea level (FCM field elevation is 906 feet). When the airplane lost left engine power, he attempted to reestablish fuel flow to the left engine by turning on the electric fuel pump, and then switching fuel tanks. The inspection of the airplane revealed the electric fuel pump switch was in the ON position. The fuel selector valve was found between tank positions. The right propeller exhibited impact signatures consistent with a high engine power setting. The left propeller blades were straight with no power signatures exhibited. The FAA airworthiness inspector tested the airplane’s fuel system utilizing Navion Service Bulletin No. 106A. The service bulletin is not applicable to the Temco (“Twin Navion”) aircraft, although many of the same components are used on both aircraft. The inspection revealed that the Bendix/Facet electric fuel pump found in the left engine nacelle exhibited blue staining on the top surface of the pump, whichwas consistent with a fuel leak. The inspector reported that the test of the electric fuel pump revealed that the end cap gasket had failed, which allowed air to be drawn into the system by both the electric and engine driven fuel pumps. The install date and total time of the pump and end cap gasket could not be determined from the maintenance records. The airplane was a twin-engine Temco D-16A, serial number TTN-60 that was issued its airworthiness certificate on July 19, 1956. It was equipped with two 170-horsepower Lycoming O-340-A1A engines. The last annual maintenance inspection was conducted on October 1, 2009. The airplane had a total time of 3,587 hours at the time of the inspection. The Navion Service Bulletin No. 106A was issued on May 1, 2007. This service bulletin was applicable to Navion aircraft, but not the Temco D-16A. The subject of the service bulletin was: Fuel system – Inspection of the fuel system continued safe operation. This is due to several recent Navion accidents caused by improper inspection and maintenance of the fuel system and related components. The FAA issued Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2008-05-14 on April 16, 2008. This AD was applicable to Navion aircraft, but not the Temco D-16A. The AD required a one-time inspection of the entire fuel system and repetitive functional tests of certain fuel selector valves. The AD resulted from reports of airplane accidents associated with leaking or improperly operating fuel selector valves. The AD was issued to detect and correct fuel system leaks or improperly operating fuel selector valves, which could result in the disruption of fuel flow to the engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N124N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N124N-2013-04-10), registration cancelled 2013-04-10, S/N TTN-60, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Temco D-16A - Registry model: [Temco D-16A](https://openairdocs.org/model/temco-d-16a) (registry code 9230604) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-340-series) (registry code 41510, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: TTN-60 - Airframe hours: 3387 - Engines: Lycoming O-340-A1A 170 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2009 - Departed: ANE, Anoka, MN - Destination: FCM, Eden Prairie, MN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: serious; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 5, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 44,385 total, 100 in this make and model, 425,000 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: MSP, 11 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 20091005050379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091005050379A), Oct 5, 2009: Temco D-16A, Eden Prairie, MN, Destroyed. On 10/05/2009 at 1230CDST, a Temco D-16A twin navion owned by AZ aeromachine LLC and operated by robert fiske, experienced a loss of power resulting in a… ## Docket (14 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 25, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74853. 8.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 395 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327424&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Record of Interview (item 2, .PDF, 34 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327425&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Record%20of%20Interview-Master.PDF - FAA AD 2008-05-14 (item 3, .PDF, 505 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327426&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20AD%202008-05-14-Master.PDF - Navion Service Bulletin No. 106A (item 4, .PDF, 341 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327427&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Navion%20Service%20Bulletin%20No.%20106A-Master.PDF - FAA Service Difficulty Report (SDR) (item 5, .PDF, 88 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327428&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Service%20Difficulty%20Report%20(SDR)-Master.PDF - Henepin County Sheriff's Report (item 6, .PDF, 74 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327429&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Henepin%20County%20Sheriff%27s%20Report-Master.PDF - Eden Prairie Police Report (item 7, .PDF, 471 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327430&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Eden%20Prairie%20Police%20Report-Master.PDF - Aircraft Maintenance Records (item 8, .PDF, 395 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327431&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aircraft%20Maintenance%20Records-Master.PDF - Photo 1. View of accident site (item 9, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327432&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20View%20of%20accident%20site-Master.PDF - Photo 2. Right propeller (item 10, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327433&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20Right%20propeller-Master.PDF - Photo 3. Left Propeller (item 11, .PDF, 916 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327434&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203.%20Left%20Propeller-Master.PDF - Photo 4. Blue stained electric fuel pump (item 12, .PDF, 958 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327435&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204.%20Blue%20stained%20electric%20fuel%20pump-Master.PDF - Photo 5. Test of electric fuel pump (item 13, .PDF, 788 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327436&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205.%20Test%20of%20electric%20fuel%20pump-Master.PDF - Photo 6. End cap gasket of electric fuel pump (item 14, .PDF, 590 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327437&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%206.%20End%20cap%20gasket%20of%20electric%20fuel%20pump-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.