# NTSB CHI00LA105: Weinzierl Titan Tornado II, N196KW, Maple Plain, MN, April 2, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 2, 2000, 10:26 local (15:26 UTC) - Place: Maple Plain, MN - Coordinates: 44.99961, -93.65921 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9996&lon=-93.6592&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report May 17, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 48897 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI00LA105 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48897/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA105 ## Probable cause the obstructed fuel system filter, the inadequate silicone material the builder used, and the rough and uneven terrain. A factor was that suitable landing terrain was not available. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - fuel system,filter - obstructed (cause) - material inadequate,improper, owner/builder (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - rough/uneven (cause) - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane sustained substantial damage on contact with terrain during a forced landing after a loss of engine power on takeoff. The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. The pilot stated, 'I was departing to the east. I climed to about 200 ft. when the engine stoped I turned back for a field. I hit the field and the plane overturned.' The field was rough and uneven. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the hull, wing tips, and tail. The engines fuel filter was found clogged with silicone used as a fuel tank sealant. The plugged filter was a sintered bronze filter. The Rotax installation manual states, 'A suitable fuel filter of 0.15 mm mesh size must be fitted between pump and carburetor. Do not use paper filters. The fuel tank must have a drain cock for condensed water. A screen of 0.3 mm mesh size should be fitted to the fuel line in the tank.' The pilot's safety recommendation was, 'Don't use silicone to seal any type of fuel tanks or exc.' ## Factual narrative On April 2, 2000, at 1026 central daylight time, a Weinzierl Titan Tornado II, piloted by a private pilot sustained substantial damage on contact with terrain during a forced landing after a loss of engine power on takeoff from Maple Airport, near Maple Plain, Minnesota. The local flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. No flight plan was on file. The personal flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated, "I was departing to the east. I climed to about 200 ft. when the engine stoped I turned back for a field." The airport owner stated that the field was rough and uneven. He stated, "I hit the field and the plane overturned." He further stated that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the hull, wing tips, and tail. The pilot examined the wreckage and found a clogged fuel filter. The fuel filter was plugged with silicone used as a sealant in the fuel tank. See appended photo. The plugged filter was identified as a Plastisonics, Inc., sintered bronze, model FF704C series filter. The fuel filter was designed for 1/4-inch fuel lines. See appended filter specification sheet. The Rotax installation manual states, "A suitable fuel filter of 0.15 mm mesh size must be fitted between pump and carburetor. Do not use paper filters. The fuel tank must have a drain cock for condensed water. A screen of 0.3 mm mesh size should be fitted to the fuel line in the tank." See appended installation manual. The pilot's safety recommendation was, "Don't use silicone to seal any type of fuel tanks or exc." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N196KW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N196KW-2019-11-01), registration cancelled 2019-11-01, S/N D96618SOHK0204, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Weinzierl TITAN TORNADO II (TITAN TORN) - Registry model: [Weinzierl Kevin L TITAN TORNADO II](https://openairdocs.org/model/weinzierl-kevin-l-titan-tornado-ii) (registry code 056038F) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: D96618SOK020 - Engines: Rotax 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kevin Leon Weinzierl - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: MN69, MN - Airport: MN69, Maple Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 490 total, 325 in this make and model, 38 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MSP, 21 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 20000402006339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000402006339A), Apr 2, 2000: Maple Plain, MN, No damage. (-23) Silicone was used to install a component inside the aircraft fuel tank. The silicone dissolved and subsequently clogged the fuel filter causing the… 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.