# NTSB CEN16LA121: Ariosto James J Ariosto Mustang II, N12JA, Normangee, TX, March 4, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 4, 2016, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Normangee, TX - Coordinates: 31.055833, -96.250556 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.0558&lon=-96.2506&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report December 12, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 92818 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN16LA121 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92818/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92818 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA121 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's improper fuel selector positioning procedures during the flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Ariosto James J ARIOSTO MUSTANG II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=16906B1), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Ariosto James J ARIOSTO MUSTANG II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=16906B1), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Ariosto James J ARIOSTO MUSTANG II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=16906B1), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Ariosto James J ARIOSTO MUSTANG II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=16906B1), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis During cruise flight in the experimental, amateur-built airplane, the private pilot attempted to move the fuel selector from the left to the right fuel tank. During that process, the engine lost power, and the airplane sustained substantial damage during the subsequent forced landing. The pilot reported that he had recently modified the fuel system, and, while attempting to select the right fuel tank, he inadvertently starved the engine of fuel. The pilot reported no problems with the engine before the loss of engine power and stated that the engine lost power because he used improper procedures while attempting to change the fuel selector. ## Factual narrative On March 4, 2016, at 1230 central standard time, an Ariosto Mustang II experimental airplane, N12JA, impacted terrain following a loss of engine power near Normangee, Texas. The private pilot sustained serious injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. The local flight departed at an unknown time. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who interviewed the pilot, the pilot was attempting to change the fuel draw from the left to right fuel tank, but starved the engine of fuel in the change process due to a new modification in the fuel system. The pilot reported no problems with the engine prior to the loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. The pilot stated the engine lost power due to improper procedures completed by him while switching fuel tanks. Examination of the accident site by the FAA inspector revealed the airplane impacted terrain in a left wing, nose low attitude. The airplane came to rest upright in a field that was surrounded by trees. The engine and firewall were separated from the fuselage. The left wing fuel tank was compromised and right wing fuel tank contained an unknown amount of fuel. One propeller blade remained attached to the hub and no damage was noted, and one propeller blade was separated near the hub. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N12JA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N12JA-2018-02-28), registration cancelled 2018-02-28, S/N MII-1335, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ARIOSTO JAMES J ARIOSTO MUSTANG II - Registry model: [Ariosto James J ARIOSTO MUSTANG II](https://openairdocs.org/model/ariosto-james-j-ariosto-mustang-ii) (registry code 16906B1) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: MII-1335 - Year built: 1992 - Airframe hours: 233 - Engines: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, January 15, 2016, 4 hours before - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; last flight review July 22, 2014; seat: left; flight hours: 2,851 total, 4 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: CFD, 23 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 20160304001789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160304001789A), Mar 4, 2016: Ariosto James J ARIOSTO MUSTANG II, Normangee, TX, Destroyed. Ground mark indications show the left hand wing striking the ground first. An indication of the left hand main landing gear and then the aircraft engine after… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 6, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92818. 161 KB in all. - FAA Email Correspondence (item 1, .PDF, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445137&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Email%20Correspondence-Master.PDF - Pilot Letter (item 2, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445138&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Letter-Master.PDF - FAA Record of Conversation (item 3, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445139&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Record%20of%20Conversation-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.