# NTSB CEN13LA478: Douglas Brian G BA-100, N27BD, Killeen, TX, August 10, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 10, 2013, 09:27 local (14:27 UTC) - Place: Killeen, TX - Coordinates: 31.085832, -97.686386 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.0858&lon=-97.6864&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 24, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 87754 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13LA478 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87754/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87754 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA478 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper management of the fuel mixture, which resulted in an over-rich fuel mixture condition and a subsequent partial loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Power plant](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Douglas Brian G BA-100, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md?model=056306G), [All aircraft, 198 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Douglas Brian G BA-100, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=056306G), [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. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Douglas Brian G BA-100, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=056306G), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Douglas Brian G BA-100, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=056306G), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that, during taxi and takeoff, he set the engine fuel mixture control to the full-rich position. While in the crosswind turn, the engine lost partial power, and the pilot made a forced landing in a forested area. Examination of the engine revealed that the No. 1 cylinder's spark plugs were completely carbon-fouled and that the Nos. 2 through 4 cylinders' spark plugs were badly sooted. It is likely that the pilot did not properly manage the engine mixture, which led to an over-rich fuel mixture condition during the takeoff and resulted in a partial loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On August 10, 2013, about 0927 central daylight time, a Brian Douglas BA-100 airplane, N27BD, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Killeen, Texas. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which departed without a flight plan. The local flight originated from Skylark Field Airport (KILE), near Killeen, Texas, about 0925. According to the pilot's statement, the airplane departed Runway 01 at KILE and the engine lost partial power while in the crosswind turn. The pilot considered turning back toward the runway, but elected not to because he was concerned that the airplane might enter into a spin. The pilot maneuvered the airplane and made a forced landing, during which both wings were structurally damaged during impact with trees. Following the accident, the engine and fuel system were examined by an airframe and powerplant mechanic. Both fuel tanks were about ¾ full, with no evidence of fuel contamination. The magnetos and ignition leads were operable. Both spark plugs for the #1 cylinder were completely carbon fouled and the spark plugs for #2-#4 cylinders were significantly sooted. The pilot stated that he had set the engine mixture control to the full rich position during taxi and takeoff for the accident flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N27BD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N27BD-2013-11-21), registration cancelled 2013-11-21, S/N BGD004, built 2012 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DOUGLAS BRIAN G BA-100 - Registry model: [Douglas Brian G BA-100](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-brian-g-ba-100) (registry code 056306G) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: BGD004 - Airframe hours: 14 - Engines: VW 1600 55 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Douglas Brian G - Registered owner: Douglas Brian G - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, March 3, 2013, 10 hours before - Departed: KILE, Killeen, TX - Destination: KILE, Killeen, TX - Airport: KILE, Killeen Skylark Field Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; last flight review March 1, 2012; seat: center; flight hours: 260 total, 14 in this make and model, 220 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KILE, 1 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 20130810016609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130810016609A), Aug 10, 2013: Douglas Brian G BA-100, Killeen, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft conducted a take off on runway 01 and climbed to approximately 200 above ground level. Approximately three quarters down the runway pilot noticed… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 5, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87754. 469 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 377 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40407439&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of correspondence with pilot (item 2, .PDF, 80 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40407442&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20correspondence%20with%20pilot-Master.PDF - Engine Examination (item 3, .PDF, 12 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40407962&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20Examination-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.