# NTSB CHI01LA045: Larson Aero COMP-6, N4334Z, Brainerd, MN, December 8, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 8, 2000, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Brainerd, MN - Coordinates: 46.349681, -94.190307 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3497&lon=-94.1903&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 23, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50769 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA045 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50769/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA045 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight of the airplane which resulted in fuel exhaustion. Factors associated with the accident were the loose fuel cap and the snow covered terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - fluid,fuel - exhaustion - fuel system,cap - loose (contributing factor) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane nosed over during a forced landing. The pilot reported that he replaced the fuel sensors and calibrated the fuel system with the tailwheel on the ground. He also "stick measured" the amount of fuel in each tank. He then departed on the flight with 26 gallons of fuel on board with the fuel gauges indicating just under half full. Approximately 30 minutes after departure he noticed the fuel gauges were reading low. He reported he was not alarmed as he thought they were erroneous and that he would need to recalibrate the fuel system with the tailwheel in a flight attitude. Approximately 10 minutes later, the engine began to lose power. A forced landing was made in a snow covered hay field during which the airplane nosed over. Examination of the airplane revealed fuel exhaustion as a result of fuel siphoning due to a loose fuel cap. ## Factual narrative On December 8, 2000, at 1400 central standard time, a Larson Aero Comp-6, N4334Z, nosed over during a forced landing in a snow covered field near Brainerd, Minnesota. The forced landing was made as a result of a total loss of engine power. The private pilot was not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The purpose of the flight was to check the calibration on a newly installed fuel gauge sending unit. The flight originated from a Jackson Field, in Brainerd, Minnesota, at approximately 1320 central standard time. The pilot reported that he had recently replaced the fuel sensors and calibrated the fuel system with the tailwheel on the ground. In addition, he "stick measured" the amount of fuel in each tank. The airplane holds a total of 60 gallons of fuel. He reported that he departed on the flight with 26 gallons of fuel on board and that the fuel gauges were indicating just under half full. The pilot reported that approximately 30 minutes after departure he noticed the fuel gauges were reading low. He reported he was not alarmed as he thought they were erroneous and that he would need to recalibrate the fuel system with the tailwheel in a flight attitude. Approximately 10 minutes later, the engine began to lose power. The pilot chose a hay field in which to make a forced landing. He reported that the main gear were on the ground; however, he was unable to keep the tailwheel down due to the snow. The airplane subsequently nosed over. The pilot removed the airplane from the accident site prior to notifying either the NTSB or the FAA of the accident. He reported that his examination of the airplane revealed the fuel siphoned over board due to a loose fuel cap. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4334Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4334Z-2007-11-27), registration cancelled 2007-11-27, S/N AC6114, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Larson AERO COMP-6 (AERO COMP-) - Registry model: [Larson C/Watland S AERO COMP-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/larson-c-watland-s-aero-comp-6) (registry code 05606N7) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: AC6114 - Airframe hours: 91 - Engines: Continental O-470-R 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Craig C. Larson - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 2, 2000, 1 hours before - Departed: MN17 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 219 total, 38 in this make and model, 219 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BRD ## 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 20001208026889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20001208026889A), Dec 8, 2000: Ft Ripley, MN, No damage. (-23) Was testing and calibrating new fuel sender. Fuel siphoned out thru gas cap, ran out of fuel. Flipped over while landing in snow. ## Other investigations on N4334Z (1) 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. - [NTSB CHI06CA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06CA039), Nov 30, 2005: Larson Aero Comp-6 (N4334Z), Brainerd, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot/builder inadvertently reversed the aileron control systems during installation and failed to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff. A factor associated with the accident was 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.