# NTSB CEN21LA276: Autogyro Cavalon, N46JS, Collinsville, TX, June 16, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 16, 2021, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Collinsville, TX - Coordinates: 33.560523, -96.915036 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5605&lon=-96.9150&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 103285 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21LA276 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103285/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103285 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA276 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power due to the failure of both fuel pumps, which resulted in fuel starvation. The reason for the failure of both fuel pumps could not be determined based on available evidence. ## 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: [Scott Valdez CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022822/cases.md?model=0563850), [All aircraft, 71 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022822/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Scott Valdez CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=0563850), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Scott Valdez CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=0563850), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the experimental gyroplane reported a loss of engine power during cruise flight. The pilot was unable to restore engine power, so he made a forced landing to a pasture, during which the main rotor blades were substantially damaged. Postaccident examination of the engine found that the main fuel pump was inoperable and that the auxiliary fuel pump ran initially but stopped operating after a few seconds. Because both fuel pumps had failed, fuel could not be fed to the engine during the accident flight, and a total loss of engine power occurred. The reasons for the failure of both fuel pumps could not be determined from the available evidence for this investigation. ## Factual narrative On June 16, 2021, about 1730 central daylight time, an AutoGyro Cavalon gyroplane, N46JS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Collinsville, Texas. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. The pilot stated that he departed from North Texas Regional Airport (GYI), Denison, Texas, about 1715 and was in cruise flight toward Weatherford, Texas, at an altitude of 2,500 ft. Subsequently, the gyroplane lost engine power and began to lose airspeed and altitude. The pilot was unsuccessful in restoring engine power, so he performed a forced landing to a pasture. During the landing, the main rotor blades were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that the gyroplane had 13 gallons of fuel at the time of takeoff. Postaccident examination of the gyroplane found that fuel was not being delivered to the engine when the fuel tank was below one-half full in the interconnected tanks. Examination of the fuel pumps found that the No. 1 main fuel pump was inoperable. The No. 2 auxiliary fuel pump stopped working after a few seconds. Examination of the fuel system revealed no evidence of contamination or debris. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N46JS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N46JS), registered now, S/N V00431, built 2020 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AUTOGYRO CAVALON - Registry model: [Scott Valdez CAVALON](https://openairdocs.org/model/scott-valdez-cavalon) (registry code 0563850) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 915 IS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-915-is-series) (registry code 55620, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: V00431 - Year built: 2020 - Airframe hours: 137.5 - Engines: Rotax 915iS 141 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Valdez Scott - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 23, 2021, 35 hours before - Departed: KGYI, Denison, TX - Destination: KWEA, Weatherford, TX - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 15,000 total, 200 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: KGLE, 15 nm away - METAR: KGLE 162235Z AUTO 14005KT 10SM CLR 34/17 A3001 RMK AO2 T03370168 PWINO ## 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 20210616014869I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210616014869I), Jun 16, 2021: Scott Valdez CAVALON, Collinsville, TX, Minor damage. The incident flight originated at north Texas regional airport (gyi) after obtaining five gallons of fuel. Within 20 minutes of departure from gyi, at a cruse… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 29, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103285. 2.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14592154&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=la276%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Case findings with photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 4 photos, 412 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14591997&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Case%20Findings%20CEN21LA276-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.