# NTSB CEN16LA219: Flohr David J R 80 Tiger Moth, N8CX, Decatur, TX, June 6, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 6, 2016, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Decatur, TX - Coordinates: 33.264167, -97.46611 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2642&lon=-97.4661&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 20, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93389 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN16LA219 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93389/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93389 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA219 ## Probable cause A failure of the electric fuel boost pump, which resulted in fuel starvation and a subsequent total loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system: fuel pumps](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022822): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Flohr David J R-80 TIGER MOTH, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022822/cases.md?model=05619QB), [All aircraft, 71 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022822/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Flohr David J R-80 TIGER MOTH, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=05619QB), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Flohr David J R-80 TIGER MOTH, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05619QB), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Flohr David J R-80 TIGER MOTH, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=05619QB), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Flohr David J R-80 TIGER MOTH, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05619QB), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airline transport pilot reported that he was flying his experimental, amateur-built airplane about 500 ft above ground level over his ranch when he smelled something burning. About 15 seconds later, the engine experienced a total loss of power, and the propeller stopped spinning. The airplane impacted a ditch and nosed over during the subsequent forced landing. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the inline electric boost pump had overheated and burned, which resulted in a loss of fuel supply to the engine. ## Factual narrative On June 6, 2016, about 1730 central daylight time, an amateur built Flohr David J R-80 Tiger Moth airplane, N8CX, nosed down during an off airport forced landing in Decatur, Texas, following a loss of engine power. The airline transport rated pilot was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to a private individual and was operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight and no flight plan was filed. The local flight originated from the Lazy G Bar Ranch Airport (90T), Decatur, Texas.The pilot reported he was flying at an altitude of about 500 ft above the ground over his ranch when the accident occurred. He stated he smelled something burning and about 15 seconds later, the engine lost all power and the propeller stopped spinning. The airplane hit a ditch and nosed over during the forced landing resulting in substantial damage to both lower wings. The pilot reported the previous owner of the airplane had installed a Facet 150 electric boost pump to increase the fuel flow. The pilot examined the engine after the accident and stated the inline electric boost pump overheated, burned, and shut down the fuel supply to the engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8CX](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8CX), registered now, S/N TM36, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: FLOHR DAVID J R 80 TIGER MOTH (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Flohr David J R-80 TIGER MOTH](https://openairdocs.org/model/flohr-david-j-r-80-tiger-moth) (registry code 05619QB) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: TM36 - Year built: 2005 - Airframe hours: 2983 - Engines: CONT MOTOR C90-14F 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 29, 2015, 15 hours before - Departed: 90T, Decatur, TX - Destination: 90T, Decatur, TX - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 24, 2016; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 19,000 total, 56 in this make and model, 15,000 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: LUD, 5 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 20160606010109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160606010109A), Jun 6, 2016: Flohr David J R-80 TIGER MOTH, Decatur, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot was operating a expertimental aircraft when a automotive type fuel pump failed and the engine stoped. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 11, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93389. 3.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452117&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 373 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452118&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%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.