# NTSB CEN18LA118: Bereznak Lancair Legacy, N60JN, Temple, TX, March 8, 2018

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 8, 2018, 10:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Temple, TX
- Coordinates: 31.100505, -97.410209 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1005&lon=-97.4102&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 96849
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN18LA118
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96849/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96849
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA118

## Probable cause

The failure of the fuel selector valve in a nearly closed position, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Fuel system: fuel selector/shutoff valve](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Fatigue/wear/corrosion (probable cause); cases with it: [Bereznak Bradley J LANCAIR LEGACY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md?model=05621N1), [All aircraft, 176 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md)
- [Fuel system: fuel selector/shutoff valve](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not serviced/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bereznak Bradley J LANCAIR LEGACY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md?model=05621N1), [All aircraft, 176 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md)
- [Inspection: scheduled/routine inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061520): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Bereznak Bradley J LANCAIR LEGACY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061520/cases.md?model=05621N1), [All aircraft, 167 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061520/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Bereznak Bradley J LANCAIR LEGACY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=05621N1), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Bereznak Bradley J LANCAIR LEGACY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05621N1), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bereznak Bradley J LANCAIR LEGACY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05621N1), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

After leveling off at 9,500 ft, the airline transport pilot switched the fuel selector from the right to the left fuel tank of the experimental, amateur-built airplane. He noticed a change in the sound of the engine, a decline in fuel flow, and a partial loss of engine power. He switched back to the right fuel tank and turned on the auxiliary fuel pump, but this did not correct the problem. Realizing that he would not be able to glide to a nearby airport, the pilot made a forced landing in a plowed field. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no discrepancies that would have precluded normal operation. The fuel selector was found separated just below the selector handle, and the selector valve was found in the 90-percent-closed position. The fuel selector assembly showed extensive wear. It is likely that the fuel selector separated with the valve in an intermediate position when the pilot changed the fuel selector handle position, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the nearly closed fuel valve.

## Factual narrative

On March 8, 2018, about 1045 central standard daylight time, a Bereznak Lancair Legacy, N60JN, experienced a partial loss of engine power while in cruise flight at 9,500 feet, and the pilot made a forced landing in a plowed field one-mile northwest of Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport (TPL), Temple, Texas. The pilot sustained minor injuries. His passenger was not injured. The airplane was destroyed. The airplane was registered to and operated by a, Airborne Legacy, LLC, Austin, Texas, under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at and about the time of the accident. A visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan had been filed for the flight that originated at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Austin, Texas, and was destined for Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL), Dallas, Texas. In his accident report the pilot said that after levelling off at 9,500 feet, he switched from the right to the left fuel tank to maintain balance. He noticed a change in the sound of the engine and a decline in fuel flow (the airplane was not equipped with a fuel pressure gauge). He switched back to the right fuel tank and turned on the auxiliary fuel pump, but this did not correct the problem. During the approach to TPL, manifold pressure was registering but airspeed was decreasing. The pilot advanced the throttle slightly, then applied full throttle. The engine did not respond. Realizing he could not glide to TPL, the pilot made a forced landing in a plowed field. On April 4, 2018, the engine was examined at the facilities of Air Salvage of Dallas (ASOD), Lancaster, Texas. The engine was intact, undamaged, and remained attached to the airframe. No discrepancies were found that would have prohibited the production of rated horsepower. The fuel selector handle was separated just below the handle selector. The two "U" joints and the drive shaft were intact. The selector valve was found in the 90 percent closed position. The fuel selector assembly was extensively worn.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N60JN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N60JN-2022-08-06), registration cancelled 2022-08-06, S/N L2K-263, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bereznak Lancair Legacy
- Registry model: [Bereznak Bradley J LANCAIR LEGACY](https://openairdocs.org/model/bereznak-bradley-j-lancair-legacy) (registry code 05621N1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-550 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-550-series) (registry code 17042, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: L2K-263
- Year built: 2008
- Airframe hours: 310
- Engines: Continental IO-550-N 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Airborne Legacy, LLC
- Registered owner: Airborne Legacy, LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, May 2, 2017, 34 hours before
- Departed: KAUS, Austin, TX
- Destination: KDAL, Dallas, TX
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: TPL, Draughon-Miller Central TX Reg
- Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Stall warning system, Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; injuries: minor; airline transport, commercial, private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 29, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 3,900 total, 185 in this make and model, 3,650 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.26 inHg
- Observed at: KTPL, 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).

- [Incident 20180308024379I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180308024379I), Mar 8, 2018: Bereznak Bradley J LANCAIR LEGACY, Temple, TX, Destroyed. No visible signs airaft did not run out of fuel.

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 25, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96849. 6.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462427&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Continental Motors, Engine Inspection Report, B60JN (item 2, .PDF, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462428&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Continental%20Motors,%20Engine%20Inspection%20Report,%20B60JN-Master.PDF
- Fuel Receipt (item 3, .PDF, 120 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462429&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Fuel%20Receipt-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.

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