# NTSB CEN20LA216: Team 1600R, N827WS, Marshall, MI, June 7, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 7, 2020, 15:13 local (19:13 UTC) - Place: Marshall, MI - Coordinates: 42.245834, -84.991111 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2458&lon=-84.9911&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 101401 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20LA216 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101401/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101401 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA216 ## Probable cause Maintenance personnel’s improper installation of an improperly sized clamp on the fuel supply line, which allowed air to enter the supply line, a subsequent loss of engine power, and a forced landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Maintenance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Steffler Christopher J 1600R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062000/cases.md?model=05636Q7), [All aircraft, 143 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062000/cases.md) - [Fuel system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Steffler Christopher J 1600R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md?model=05636Q7), [All aircraft, 181 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/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 (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Steffler Christopher J 1600R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05636Q7), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Steffler Christopher J 1600R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05636Q7), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot departed from a campground area in the single-engine experimental airplane. During the airplane’s initial climb, the engine lost power and the pilot made a forced landing into a cornfield, which substantially damaged both wing struts. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed a loose fuel supply line to the inlet fitting of the vacuum-driven fuel pump. Although the clamp on the inlet fitting was tightened to its maximum clamping position, it was not the correct size, and the fuel supply line was still loose in the fitting. Thus, it is likely that maintenance personnel did not ensure an airtight fitting with a properly sized clamp, which allowed air to enter the fuel supply line and resulted in a loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On June 7, 2020, about 1513 eastern daylight time, a Team Mini-Max 1600R airplane, N827WS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Marshall, Michigan. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, the engine lost total power during initial climb after departing from a campground area. The pilot made a forced landing into a cornfield, which damaged both wing struts. During the flight prior to the accident, the pilot noticed engine roughness that discontinued after he turned the fuel pump on. The pilot inspected the airplane after landing but was not able to find a rationale for the engine roughness. Following the accident, examination of the engine revealed that the fuel supply line to the inlet fitting of the vacuum driven fuel pump was loose on the fitting. Although the clamp on the inlet fitting had been tightened to its maximum clamping position, the fuel supply line was still loose on the fitting and without a proper seal it was possible for air to enter the fuel system. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N827WS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N827WS-2021-01-11), registration cancelled 2021-01-11, S/N 08162017CJS (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Team 1600R (No Series) - Registry model: [Steffler Christopher J 1600R](https://openairdocs.org/model/steffler-christopher-j-1600r) (registry code 05636Q7) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 08162017CJS - Year built: 2017 - Engines: Rotax 447 40 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special); Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, June 7, 2020, 0 hours before - Departed: PRIV, Marshall, MI - Destination: PRIV, Marshall, MI - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 24, 2019; seat: single; flight hours: 62 total, 5 in this make and model, 21 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KRMY, 2 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 20200607006949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200607006949A), Jun 7, 2020: Steffler Christopher J 1600R, Marshall, MI, Substantial damage. On June 7, 2020 at 1514 eastern daylight time (EDT), an experimental aircraft manufactured by Steffler, christopher j. according to an FAA database and… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 9, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101401. 6.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11271615&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20-_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Examination report (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 448 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11328601&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Exam%20report_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Examination video (item 3, MP4, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11329313&FileExtension=mp4&FileName=Exam%20video-Rel.mp4 - Correspondence with eaa on fuel line clamp (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 73 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11330923&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=EAA%20perspective%20on%20fuel%20line%20clamp-Rel.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.