# NTSB CEN11LA186: Gadbois Eugene W Apex CROSS-5, N751EW, Lago Vista, TX, February 11, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 11, 2011, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Lago Vista, TX
- Coordinates: 30.449728, -97.970481 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4497&lon=-97.9705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 13, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 78350
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11LA186
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78350/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78350
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA186

## Probable cause

The simultaneous loss of engine and electrical power after takeoff for undetermined reasons.

## Findings

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

- [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Gadbois Eugene W APEX CROSS-5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05901GA), [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: Electrical system malf/failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332); cases with it: [Gadbois Eugene W APEX CROSS-5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332/sequence.md?model=05901GA), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Gadbois Eugene W APEX CROSS-5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=05901GA), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot recently purchased the aircraft, and the accident flight was intended to be an orientation flight around the traffic pattern followed by a landing. Shortly after departure, the aircraft experienced a simultaneous loss of engine and electrical power. During the forced landing, the aircraft settled into the tops of trees, resulting in substantial damage. A postaccident examination revealed that a fuse was blown which was believed to be associated with the electronic ignition circuit; however, the pilot did not have a schematic for the airplane so this could not be confirmed. The examination of the remaining systems revealed no anomalies. Investigators were unable to determine the reason for the simultaneous loss of engine and electrical power after takeoff.

## Factual narrative

On February 11, 2011, approximately 1330 central standard time, a Gadbois Apex Cross-5 Weight Shift Control aircraft, N751EW, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain after departure from Rusty Allen Airport (KRYW), Lago Vista, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. In the written statement submitted by the pilot, he recently purchased the aircraft and the accident flight was intended to be a simple orientation flight around the traffic pattern followed by a landing. Shortly after departure, the aircraft experienced a simultaneous loss of engine and electrical power. During the forced landing, the aircraft settled into the tops of scrub trees. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector the brace connecting the main fuselage to the wing assembly was broken. Both wings were bent and twisted. During the examination it was noted that a fuse was blown which was believed to be associated with the electronic ignition circuit. The pilot did not have a schematic for the airplane so this could not be confirmed. The examination of the remaining systems, conducted by the FAA inspector revealed no anomalies.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N751EW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N751EW), registered now, S/N 1001, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GADBOIS EUGENE W APEX CROSS-5
- Registry model: [Gadbois Eugene W APEX CROSS-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/gadbois-eugene-w-apex-cross-5) (registry code 05901GA) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Compact Ra MZ202](https://openairdocs.org/engine/compact-ra-mz202) (registry code 14700, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Weight-shift
- Serial number: 1001
- Airframe hours: 108
- Engines: COMPACT RA MZ202 60 horsepower
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, October 20, 2010
- Departed: KRYW, Lago Vista, TX
- Destination: KRYW, Lago Vista, TX
- Airport: KRYW, Rusty Allen Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; injuries: minor; sport pilot, airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 7, 2011; seat: front; flight hours: 7,000 total, 0 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command, 240 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 30.29 inHg
- Observed at: KGTU, 18 nm away

## Other investigations on N751EW (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 LAX07CA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA144), Apr 28, 2007: Gadbois Apex Cross 5 (N751EW), Show Low, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's inadequate in-flight fuel consumption calculations and failure to divert to an alternate airport, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 14, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78350. 425 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 414 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344109&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- FAA Inspector Statement - CEN11LA186 (item 2, .PDF, 10 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344920&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement%20-%20CEN11LA186-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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