# NTSB CEN13LA304: Ankestar, Bradley D. RAND-ROBINSON KR2, N774A, Hamilton, OH, May 11, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 11, 2013, 17:55 local (22:55 UTC) - Place: Hamilton, OH - Coordinates: 39.360553, -84.529441 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3606&lon=-84.5294&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 1, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 87032 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13LA304 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87032/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87032 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA304 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to vapor lock in the fuel system. Contributing to the accident was the operation of the airplane with automotive gasoline and the installation of noninsulated fuel components near heat sources in the engine compartment. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible; cases with it: [Ankerstar Bradley D RAND-ROBINSON KR2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=05622S0), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: understanding/comprehension](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041515): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ankerstar Bradley D RAND-ROBINSON KR2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041515/cases.md?model=05622S0), [All aircraft, 70 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041515/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel distribution](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Ankerstar Bradley D RAND-ROBINSON KR2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md?model=05622S0), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid type (probable cause); cases with it: [Ankerstar Bradley D RAND-ROBINSON KR2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=05622S0), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Ankerstar Bradley D RAND-ROBINSON KR2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000/cases.md?model=05622S0), [All aircraft, 151 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft servicing event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/020); cases with it: [Ankerstar Bradley D RAND-ROBINSON KR2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/020/sequence.md?model=05622S0), [All aircraft, 70 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/020/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Ankerstar Bradley D RAND-ROBINSON KR2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=05622S0), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot/owner, who also built the airplane, reported that, during the initial climb, the airplane stopped climbing about 30 ft above the ground and then experienced a loss of engine power. The airplane subsequently nosed over and impacted terrain. The pilot reported that he used automotive gasoline to fuel the airplane, which was powered by a Volkswagen engine with a POSA-type carburetor. Further, the engine was tightly cowled, but the gascolator on the airplane was not insulated and was mounted about 2 inches from the exhaust pipe. Airplanes configured in this manner are susceptible to vapor lock when operating with automotive gasoline. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with a loss of engine power due to vapor lock. ## Factual narrative On May 11, 2013, at 1755 eastern daylight time, an Ankerstar Bradley D. Rand-Robinson KR2, N774A, impacted terrain near Butler County Regional Airport (HAO), Hamilton, Ohio, following a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was seriously injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by the pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight which was not operating on a flight plan. The flight originated from Butler County Regional Airport (HAO), Hamilton, Ohio at 1755. The pilot stated that after take-off and the initial climb at 80 knots, the airplane stopped climbing about 30 feet above the runaway. He then leveled off at 70 knots, and the engine lost power. With the propeller still spinning, the airplane nosed over and impacted the ground approximately 1000 feet beyond the runaway. The airplane had not flown since 2010, when it experienced a hard landing and a propeller strike. One witness recalled the airplane owner had complained to him the airplane had trouble producing power and maintaining RPM following the first accident. The pilot conducted several high speed taxi tests and partial power engine runs in the airplane the day of the accident. These events were conducted in accordance with FAA Advisory Circular 90-89A, Amateur Built Aircraft and Ultralight Flight Testing Handbook. The engine was not run at full power prior to the attempted takeoff. The pilot indicated that he used automotive gas from a gas can located in hangar to fuel the airplane. According to a person of expertise, the use of automotive gas in a Volkswagen engine with a POSA type carburetor (Revflow) causes a greater potential for vapor lock, as the automotive gas has a lower boiling point than Avgas. Furthermore, in a Volkswagen engine that is tightly cowled, the fuel lines should be insulated to protect against engine heat, and often outside air is piped in for cooling of fuel components including a gascolator. The gascolator on the mishap airplane was not shrouded or insulated, and was mounted approximately 2 inches aft of an exhaust pipe. A fuel test was performed on a fuel sample taken from the can, and a fuel sample taken from the mishap airplane. Fuel test result show that there was a difference of total aromatics between samples; the sample from the can was 48%, and the sample from the tank was 57%. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N774A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N774A-2013-08-29), registration cancelled 2013-08-29, S/N 130 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ANKESTAR, BRADLEY D. RAND-ROBINSON KR2 - Registry model: [Ankerstar Bradley D RAND-ROBINSON KR2](https://openairdocs.org/model/ankerstar-bradley-d-rand-robinson-kr2) (registry code 05622S0) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 130 - Engines: VOLKSWAGEN CONVERSION 36 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Ankerstar Bradley D - Registered owner: Ankerstar Bradley D - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: HAO, Hamilton, OH - Destination: HAO, Hamilton, OH - Airport: HAO, Butler County Regional Airport, runway 29, 5,500 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: minor; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 13, 2013; seat: single; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,651 total, 1 in this make and model, 2,345 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 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 20130511008359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130511008359A), May 11, 2013: Ankerstar Bradley D RAND-ROBINSON KR2, Hamilton, OH, Destroyed. On may 11, 2013, a pilot operating an experimental aircraft experienced an engine failure immediately after takeoff from Butler county (hao). The aircraft… ## Other investigations on N774A (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 CEN10CA238](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA238), Apr 14, 2010: Ankerstar Bradley D RAND-ROBINSON KR2 (N774A), Hamilton, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper flare resulting in a hard landing and collapsed landing gear. ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 27, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87032. 4.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425544&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Fuel Test Email (item 2, .PDF, 142 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425545&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Fuel%20Test%20Email-Redacted.PDF - Great Plains Carburetor Adjustment Instructions (item 3, .PDF, 368 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425546&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Great%20Plains%20Carburetor%20Adjustment%20Instructions-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Flight Times (item 4, .PDF, 377 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425547&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Flight%20Times-Master.PDF - Records of Conversation (item 5, .PDF, 516 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425548&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Records%20of%20Conversation-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statement (item 6, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425549&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Vapor Lock Article (item 7, .PDF, 471 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425550&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Vapor%20Lock%20Article-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.