# NTSB CEN11LA367: Jones Cozy Mark IV, N204TJ, Sioux City, IA, May 30, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 30, 2011, 08:00 local (13:00 UTC) - Place: Sioux City, IA - Coordinates: 42.404445, -96.385002 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4044&lon=-96.3850&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 20, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 79280 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11LA367 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/79280/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79280 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA367 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper installation of the gascolator gasket during the airplane's last condition inspection, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power while maneuvering. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system: fuel filter-strainer](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Jones Timothy P COZY MARK IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821/cases.md?model=05602PM), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821/cases.md) - [Maintenance: scheduled/routine maintenance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Jones Timothy P COZY MARK IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010/cases.md?model=05602PM), [All aircraft, 320 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Jones Timothy P COZY MARK IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=05602PM), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) (defining event); cases with it: [Jones Timothy P COZY MARK IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=05602PM), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Jones Timothy P COZY MARK IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=05602PM), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Engine shutdown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/140); cases with it: [Jones Timothy P COZY MARK IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/140/sequence.md?model=05602PM), [All aircraft, 80 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/140/sequence.md) - [Enroute-descent: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Jones Timothy P COZY MARK IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05602PM), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Jones Timothy P COZY MARK IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05602PM), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airplane sustained a partial loss of engine power while maneuvering at 7,500 feet mean sea level about 10 miles from the departure airport. The pilot then elected to return to the departure airport for a precautionary landing. While en route, he smelled fuel and shut the fuel selector off. He executed a landing to a field after he realized that the glidepath would not reach the runway. The pilot stated that he did not install the gascolator gasket properly during his last condition inspection of the airplane, which resulted in air entering the fuel system and a subsequent partial loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On May 30, 2011, about 0800 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Jones Cozy Mark IV, N204TJ, experienced a partial loss of engine power while maneuvering. The pilot subsequently diverted to Sioux Gateway Airport/Col. Bud Day Field (SUX), Sioux City, Iowa; however, he performed a precautionary engine shutdown due to a fuel smell and landed in a field near SUX. The certificated private pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wing. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot as a personal flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The local flight originated from SUX about 0730. The pilot stated that the engine began to sputter while the airplane was maneuvering at 7,500 feet mean sea level. The pilot then diverted to SUX and about 10 miles from the SUX, he turned the fuel selector off because he smelled fuel and became concerned about a possible engine fire. He stated that a strong headwind prevented a glide to the airport and when he realized that the airplane was unable to reach runway 13 at SUX, he performed a forced landing to a field near the approach end of the runway. The pilot stated that the gascolator gasket dislodged during flight and air entered the fuel system resulting in the loss of engine power. The pilot performed the last inspection of the airplane, which was a condition inspection on May 7, 2010. The pilot stated that he did not properly install the gascolator gasket during the inspection. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N204TJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N204TJ), registered now, S/N 204, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Jones Cozy Mark IV - Registry model: [Jones Timothy P COZY MARK IV](https://openairdocs.org/model/jones-timothy-p-cozy-mark-iv) (registry code 05602PM) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 204 - Airframe hours: 1763 - Engines: Lycoming IO360C1 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Pilot - Registered owner: Pilot - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special); Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Condition, May 3, 2011 - Departed: SUX, Sioux City, IA - Destination: SUX, Sioux City, IA - Airport: SUX, Sioux Gateway Airport/Col. Bud ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 2,021 total, 1,763 in this make and model, 1,950 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.54 inHg - Observed at: SUX ## 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 20110530013819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110530013819A), May 30, 2011: Jones Timothy P COZY MARK IV, Sioux City, IA, Substantial damage. Pilot had just departed sux airport and was climbing out northwest bound, when he called the tower and advised he was returning for landing, due to rough… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 3, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79280. 762 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 762 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40362212&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. --- 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.