# NTSB CEN12FA249: Heiser Robert C JR Pulsar XP, N912RV, San Angelo, TX, April 17, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report - Date: April 17, 2012, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: San Angelo, TX - Coordinates: 31.358333, -100.612777 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3583&lon=-100.6128&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 23, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Lubbock FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83426 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12FA249 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83426/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83426 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12FA249 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of a blocked fuel vent line. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Heiser Robert C JR PULSAR XP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md?model=05606SP), [All aircraft, 181 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Heiser Robert C JR PULSAR XP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=05606SP), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Heiser Robert C JR PULSAR XP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05606SP), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Heiser Robert C JR PULSAR XP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05606SP), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The sport pilot reported that the airplane had not been flown in 4 months. Six gallons of fuel were in the right tank, and three gallons were in the left tank; right wing tank was selected during the accident flight. The engine start, taxi, and run-up were normal. About 4 minutes after engine start, the pilot taxied onto the runway and departed. He reported that the airplane climbed to about 50 feet above ground level when the engine had a total loss of engine power. The airplane landed in a field and sustained substantial damage. During postaccident examination, the fuel tanks, fuel lines, and fuel strainer were checked for debris and water contamination, but none were observed. The engine-driven mechanical fuel pump, the electric fuel pump, and the engine all were tested and operated normally. However, the outboard section of right wing fuel vent line was blocked by debris. The blockage was removed from the fuel vent line; it measured about ¼-inch wide at its widest and about ½-inch long. The blocked fuel vent line likely created a vacuum, which resulted in fuel starvation to the engine. ## Factual narrative On April 17, 2012, at 1600 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Heiser Pulsar XP, N912RV, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing after a loss of power during takeoff from runway 17 at the Ducote Air Park (TS65), San Angelo, Texas. The sport pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was departing TS65 on a local flight. The pilot reported that he and the airplane had not flown in four months, so he wanted to fly and get current in order to carry passengers. He reported that he pulled the airplane out of the hangar and completed a detailed preflight inspection. He added fuel to the right tank bringing the total fuel in the right tank to 6 gallons and 3 gallons in the left tank. The fuel tanks held 9.5 gallons each. The engine start, taxi, and run-up were normal. After checking the ignition systems, he increased engine speed to 4,000 rpm to raise the oil temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. About 4 minutes after engine start, he taxied onto the runway and departed. He reported that the airplane climbed to about 50 feet above ground level when the engine started to lose power. He started a right turn to make a short traffic pattern and land, but the engine had a total loss of power after the airplane had turned about 30 degrees. He executed a forced landing to a flat wheat field and the airplane landed hard, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The fuel tanks, fuel lines, and fuel strainer were checked for debris and water contamination but none was observed. The engine driven mechanical fuel pump was tested and it operated normally. Air was blown through the fuel system to determine if there was a blockage in the system. When air was blown into the right fuel tank and through the fuel system, no blockage was noted. When air was blown into the fuel line that attaches to the engine driven fuel pump back through the fuel system, the air was blocked. It was determined that air could pass through the Facet 12V electric fuel pump in the direction of flow from the fuel tanks to the engine, but not from the engine back to the fuel tanks. When the electric fuel pump was removed from the airframe, air could travel through the electric fuel pump in both directions. The Facet 12V electric fuel pump was removed from the airframe and was tested at an airplane component repair facility. The pump was tested on a fuel bench and it operated normally, pumping between 110 to 130 pounds per hour. The 100-horsepower Rotax 912 XP engine was shipped to a Rotax distributor for examination. The engine was placed on the engine run stand, and it operated normally delivering takeoff power. The examination of the airplane revealed that the outboard sectionof right wing fuel vent was blocked by debris. About a 4 inch section of the blocked fuel vent line was removed and sent to the component repair facility for examination. Fuel was introduced into the line and a minimal amount of fuel flowed through the line. The blockage was removed from the line, which measured about 1/4 inch wide at its widest and about 1/2 inch long. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N912RV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N912RV-2013-09-18), registration cancelled 2013-09-18, S/N 394, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HEISER ROBERT C JR PULSAR XP - Registry model: [Heiser Robert C JR PULSAR XP](https://openairdocs.org/model/heiser-robert-c-jr-pulsar-xp) (registry code 05606SP) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 394 - Airframe hours: 331 - Engines: Rotax 912XP 100 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Heiser Robert C Jr - Registered owner: Heiser Robert C Jr - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, June 1, 2011 - Departed: TS65, San Angelo, TX - Destination: TS65, San Angelo, TX - Airport: TS65, Ducote Air Park, runway 17, 3,700 × 35 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: sport pilot; last flight review June 1, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 2,262 total, 331 in this make and model, 1,995 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg ## 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 20120417006579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120417006579A), Apr 17, 2012: Heiser Robert C Jr PULSAR XP, San Angelo, TX, Destroyed. On April 17, 2012 at approximately 16:00 CDT, N912RV, a Pulsar Xp, was being operated by the owner on a private flight. The pilot reported a loss of engine… ## Docket (12 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 3, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83426. 6.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412980&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Emails Concerning Loss of Power (item 2, .PDF, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412981&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Emails%20Concerning%20Loss%20of%20Power-Redacted.PDF - Pilot's Analysis of Loss of Power (item 3, .PDF, 133 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412982&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Analysis%20of%20Loss%20of%20Power-Master.PDF - Test of Facet 12V Fuel Pump and Vent Line (item 4, .PDF, 207 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412983&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Test%20of%20Facet%2012V%20Fuel%20Pump%20and%20Vent%20Line-Master.PDF - ROTAX Maintenance Article (item 5, .PDF, 472 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412984&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=ROTAX%20Maintenance%20Article-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 6, .PDF, 633 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412985&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1. Airplane in field (item 7, .PDF, 83 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412986&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Airplane%20in%20field-Master.PDF - Photo 2. Airplane in field from rear (item 8, .PDF, 87 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412987&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20Airplane%20in%20field%20from%20rear-Master.PDF - Photo 3. Fuel vent line with obstruction (item 9, .PDF, 278 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412988&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203.%20Fuel%20vent%20line%20with%20obstruction-Master.PDF - Photo 4. Facet 12V fuel pump (item 10, .PDF, 272 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412989&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204.%20Facet%2012V%20fuel%20pump-Master.PDF - Photo 5. Disassembled fuel pump (item 11, .PDF, 273 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412990&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205.%20Disassembled%20fuel%20pump-Master.PDF - Photo 6. Engine (item 12, .PDF, 404 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412991&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%206.%20Engine-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.