# NTSB CEN10LA295: Pitts Aerobatics S-2B, N260PK, Amarillo, TX, May 29, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 29, 2010, 18:54 local (23:54 UTC) - Place: Amarillo, TX - Coordinates: 35.064445, -101.849441 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0644&lon=-101.8494&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 76209 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10LA295 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76209/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76209 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA295 ## Probable cause The fracture of the fuel pump housing for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system: fuel pumps](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022822): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Pitts Aerobatics S-2B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022822/cases.md?model=7220450), [All aircraft, 71 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022822/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Pitts Aerobatics S-2B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=7220450), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) (defining event); cases with it: [Pitts Aerobatics S-2B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=7220450), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Pitts Aerobatics S-2B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=7220450), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Pitts Aerobatics S-2B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=7220450), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150); cases with it: [Pitts Aerobatics S-2B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md?model=7220450), [All aircraft, 504 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md) ## Analysis During the initial climb following an engine teardown, inspection, and engine reinstallation, the airplane’s engine experienced a partial loss of power. The pilot initiated a 180-degree turn and performed a downwind landing on the runway from which he had just departed. Following the landing, and while taxiing, the pilot observed flames emanating from the engine cowling area. The pilot shut down the engine and exited the airplane. Moments later the airplane was engulfed in flames. An examination of the airplane’s engine revealed that the engine-driven fuel pump housing had fractured where the fuel line fitting had been inserted. The fitting, with its pipe thread, was the correct fitting; however, its preaccident torque value is unknown. Due to thermal damage to the pump housing the reason for the failure could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On May 29, 2010, about 1854 central daylight time, a Pitts Aerobatics S-2B airplane, N260PK, was destroyed by fire during a post maintenance flight at the Blue Sky Airfield (2TX0), in Amarillo, Texas. The pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 local flight. The flight originated moments before the accident. Reportedly, the purpose for the flight was a test flight following an engine tear down, inspection, and engine reinstallation. During the initial climb, while at an altitude of 700 feet above ground level (agl), the engine experienced a partial loss of power. The pilot initiated a 180 degree turn and performed a downwind landing on the runway he had just departed from. Following the landing, and while taxiing, the pilot observed flames emanating from the engine cowling area. The pilot shut down the engine and exited the airplane. Moments later the airplane was engulfed in flames. An examination of the airplane's engine conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who responded to the accident site, revealed that the engine driven fuel pump housing had fractured where the fuel line fitting had been inserted. The fitting, with its pipe thread, was the correct fitting; however, its pre-accident torque value is unknown. Due to thermal damage to the pump housing, the reason for the failure could not be determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N260PK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N260PK-2014-12-17), registration cancelled 2014-12-17, S/N 5034, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PITTS AEROBATICS S-2B - Registry model: [Pitts Aerobatics S-2B](https://openairdocs.org/model/pitts-aerobatics-s-2b) (registry code 7220450) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-540-series) (registry code 41568, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5034 - Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-540 SER 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, May 29, 2010 - Departed: 2TX0, Amarillo, TX - Destination: 2TX0, Amarillo, TX - Airport: 2TX0, Blue Sky Airfield, runway 35, 4,800 × 60 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 29, 2008; seat: rear; flight hours: 720 total, 346 in this make and model, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 11 knots - 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 20100529035449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100529035449A), May 29, 2010: Pitts Aerob S-2B, Amarillo, TX, Destroyed. On may 29, 2010 at 1830 CDT, the holder of a private pilot certificate and owner of the aircraft, operated N260PK, a Pitts aerobatics S-2B, on a… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 23, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76209. 6.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 6.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40333115&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Digital Photo 1, Fuel Pump and Fitting (item 2, .PDF, 60 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40333116&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Digital%20Photo%201,%20Fuel%20Pump%20and%20Fitting-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.