# NTSB CEN24LA185: Titan T51, N260Y, Novi, MI, May 12, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 12, 2024, 18:37 local (22:37 UTC) - Place: Novi, MI - Coordinates: 42.441842, -83.442843 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4418&lon=-83.4428&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 194254 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA185 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194254/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA185 ## Probable cause A failure of the electrical system, resulting in a loss of fuel injection and subsequent loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Ignition system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057400): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Barbara Bergstrom TITAN T-51, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057400/cases.md?model=05632D5), [All aircraft, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057400/cases.md) - [Electrical power system: alternator-generator drive sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022410): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Barbara Bergstrom TITAN T-51, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022410/cases.md?model=05632D5), [All aircraft, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022410/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) (defining event); cases with it: [Barbara Bergstrom TITAN T-51, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=05632D5), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Barbara Bergstrom TITAN T-51, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05632D5), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Barbara Bergstrom TITAN T-51, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=05632D5), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot recalled that the airplane’s electrical system voltage read 11 volts on takeoff; about 6 minutes into the flight, the engine lost all power. The airplane collided with trees during the off-airport forced landing, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The low voltage that the pilot reported was likely an indication that the airplane’s alternator was not charging the airplane’s battery properly. The airplane was equipped with an electronic fuel injection system that required a minimum of 7 volts to properly function. Following the accident, a loose connector that powered and controlled “Channel A” of the electronic fuel injection system was found to be not fully seated, which might have resulted in a loss of function on half of the injectors. However, it could not be determined if this was impact related. No other discrepancies were noted with the engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On May 12, 2024, about 1837 eastern daylight time, a Titan T-51 airplane, N260Y, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Novi, Michigan. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. The pilot departed from the Canton-Plymouth-Mettetal Airport (1D2), Plymouth, Michigan, on a local flight. Shortly after takeoff, the airplane’s Honda J35A6 engine lost power and the pilot performed a forced landing. During the landing the airplane collided with trees, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. FAA inspectors responded to the accident site, interviewed the pilot, and examined the airplane. About 6 minutes after takeoff, the airplane’s engine stopped producing power. The pilot recalled that the airplane’s voltage indicator was showing 11 volts when he departed. The airplane was equipped with a Simple Digital System EM-4 electronic fuel injection system. According to the manufacturer, a minimum of 7 volts was needed to maintain proper operation of the system. Following the accident, a loose connector on the EM-4 that powered and controlled “Channel A” of the fuel injectors was found to be not fully seated. No other discrepancies were noted with the engine that would have precluded normal operation. Despite multiple attempts, the pilot did not submit an accident/incident report form or return any correspondence. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N260Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N260Y-2024-09-06), registration cancelled 2024-09-06, S/N M07SV6SOHK0128, built 2013 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: TITAN T51 (D) - Registry model: [Barbara Bergstrom TITAN T-51](https://openairdocs.org/model/barbara-bergstrom-titan-t-51) (registry code 05632D5) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: M07SV6SOHK0128 - Year built: 2013 - Engines: Honda J35AS 245 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 1D2, Plymouth, MI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: serious; flight engineer, airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed; seat: front; flight hours: 20,000 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: KVLL, 13 nm away - METAR: KVLL 122235Z AUTO 21007KT 10SM CLR 21/05 A2986 RMK AO2 T02120045 ## 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 20240512007449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240512007449A), May 12, 2024: Barbara Bergstrom TITAN T-51, Novi, MI, Substantial damage. The pilot departed 1D2 with the electrical system indicating around 11 volts for this 12 volt aircraft system. The course of the aircraft was a northeast… 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.