# NTSB CEN16LA053: Pipistrel Virus, N145VS, Englewood, CO, December 2, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 1, 2015, 19:50 local (Dec 2, 2015, 02:50 UTC) - Place: Englewood, CO - Coordinates: 39.570278, -104.821945 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5703&lon=-104.8219&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 3, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 92402 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN16LA053 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92402/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92402 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA053 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of contamination in the right fuel tank and fuel lines, which prevented fuel from flowing to the engine. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Pipistrel VIRUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=05630K4), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel distribution](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Pipistrel VIRUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md?model=05630K4), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) (defining event); cases with it: [Pipistrel VIRUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md?model=05630K4), [All aircraft, 225 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Pipistrel VIRUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05630K4), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The commercial pilot was conducting a personal cross-country flight. The pilot reported that, while en route to the destination airport, he noted that the right tank's fuel level was not changing and that it did not appear that fuel was draining from the right tank. The fuel remaining in the left fuel tank was not adequate to complete the planned flight. The pilot chose to divert to a closer airport, and while he was preparing to land, the engine lost power. The pilot performed a forced landing to a field, during which the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. Contaminants consistent with insects and leaves were recovered from the right fuel tank and fuel lines. The contamination had prevented the fuel from flowing from the right fuel tank to the engine and resulted in the loss of engine power. No other anomalies were noted that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On December 1, 2015, about 1950 mountain standard time, a Pipistrel Virus motorglider, N145VS, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Centennial Airport (KAPA), Englewood, Colorado. The commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The cross country flight departed Sayre Municipal Airport (3O4), Sayre, Oklahoma, about 1710, was en route to Erie Municipal Airport (KEIK), Erie, Colorado, and diverted to KAPA. While en route, the pilot assessed that the fuel level from right tank was not changing. It did not appear that fuel was draining from the right tank and the fuel remaining in the left fuel tank was not adequate to complete the flight as previously planned. The pilot requested to divert to KAPA and while preparing to land the engine lost power. The pilot performed a forced landing to a field during which the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The lower fuselage and the engine mount were substantially damaged. The airframe, engine, and fuel system were examined under the auspices of the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge. The sight gauges for the left and right fuel tanks and indicated capacity of the left and right fuel tanks were accurate. Visible contaminants, consistent with insect(s) and leaves, were recovered from the right fuel tank and fuel lines. Once the contaminants were removed fuel flowed freely from the right fuel tank. The examination of the engine, airframe, and remaining systems revealed no anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N145VS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N145VS-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 360 VSW 100 LSA, built 2011 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPISTREL VIRUS (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Pipistrel VIRUS](https://openairdocs.org/model/pipistrel-virus) (registry code 05630K4) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912UL2](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912ul2) (registry code 55574, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 360 VSW 100 LSA - Year built: 2011 - Engines: Rotax reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 15, 2015 - Departed: 3O4, Sayre, OK - Destination: KAPA, Denver, CO - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: KAPA, Centennial, runway 28, 4,800 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Onboard weather, Satellite tracking device, ADS-B, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 21; injuries: none; private, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 15, 2015; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 510.3 total, 46 in this make and model, 431.7 as pilot in command, 98 in the last 90 days, 36.9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 210° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 12 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: KAPA, 2 nm away ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 27, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92402. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442630&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.