# NTSB CEN13LA011: Meyers Little Toot, N848Z, Roanoke, TX, October 11, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 11, 2012, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Roanoke, TX - Coordinates: 33.036109, -97.231666 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0361&lon=-97.2317&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 11, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: NTSB, FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 85330 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13LA011 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85330/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85330 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA011 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power due to partially obstructed fuel lines. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Meyers LITTLE TOOT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md?model=05601VE), [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: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Meyers LITTLE TOOT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05601VE), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Meyers LITTLE TOOT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05601VE), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Meyers LITTLE TOOT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05601VE), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Meyers LITTLE TOOT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05601VE), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis While on initial takeoff and about 200 feet above ground level, the airplane's engine experienced a total loss of engine power. The airplane was about midfield of the 3,500-foot runway, and the pilot landed on the remaining runway. The pilot could not stop the airplane in the distance remaining, and the airplane departed the end of the runway and collided with two fences before coming to rest inverted. Examination of the airframe revealed that the fuel lines were partially obstructed with sealant that had been used on an in-tank fuel gauge to create a gasket, which was found deteriorated. No further anomalies were detected with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On October 11, 2012, about 1800 central daylight time, a amateur-built Meyers Little Toot airplane, N848Z, nosed over during a forced landing to a field at the Northwest Regional Airport (52F), Roanoke, Texas. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to a statement provided by the pilot, shortly after takeoff and about 200 feet above ground level, the airplane's engine experience a total loss of engine power. The airplane was about midfield of the 3,500 foot runway so the pilot decided to land on the remaining runway and attempt to stop the airplane. The airplane touched down about 100 mph and the tailwheel touched down as the airplane slowed through 50 mph. The pilot attempted to perform a ground loop before it collided with a frangible fence at the departure end of the runway. The airplane continued through a barbed wire fence where the airplane nosed over. The upper wing forward spar and I Struts, the vertical stabilizer, and rudder were substantially damaged. Examination of the airframe revealed that maximum fuel flow delivery to the engine was approximately 5 gallons per hour. The engine was removed for further examination and a test run. The examination discovered foreign debris and signatures of electrical shorting on the #3 spark plug, signatures of overheating on the left magneto, and a crack on the coil of the right magneto. Engine timing was different from the manufacturer's specifications. The engine was setup on a test stand and run with a fuel limit of 5 gallons per hour. The engine ran normally at idle. At the takeoff power setting, the engine lost power due to inadequate fuel flow. A subsequent examination of the airframe revealed obstruction of the fuel lines with RTV sealant. The sealant was used on an in-tank fuel gauge as a gasket and the gasket had deteriorated. No other anomalies were discovered with the airframe. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N848Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N848Z), registered now, S/N GW-1, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MEYERS LITTLE TOOT - Registry model: [Meyers LITTLE TOOT](https://openairdocs.org/model/meyers-little-toot) (registry code 05601VE) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: GW-1 - Year built: 1961 - Airframe hours: 557 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Witt Phillip D - Registered owner: Witt Phillip D - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, July 12, 2012, 9 hours before - Departed: 52F, Roanoke, TX - Destination: 52F, Roanoke, TX - Airport: 52F, Northwest Reginal AIrport, runway 17, 3,500 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 24, 2012; seat: single; flight hours: 258 total, 179 in this make and model, 212 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: KAFW, 6 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 20121011024799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20121011024799A), Oct 11, 2012: Meyers LITTLE TOOT, Roanoke, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot took off of runway 17, climbed to about 200-300 ft AGL, and experienced an engine power loss. He immediately, pulled the throttle to idle to try and land… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 16, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85330. 1.7 MB in all. - Materials Laboratory 15 - Factual Report 12-130 (item 1, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40382068&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Materials%20Laboratory%2015%20-%20Factual%20Report%2012-130-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.