# NTSB CHI96LA229: Hewitt Cassutt 3M, N290E, Vermillion, SD, July 4, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 3, 1996, 21:15 local (Jul 4, 1996, 02:15 UTC) - Place: Vermillion, SD - Coordinates: 42.780616, -96.920845 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7806&lon=-96.9208&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 19, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10300 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA229 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10300/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA229 ## Probable cause the failure of the unapproved fuel pump. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, go-around (vfr) - fuel system,pump - unapproved (cause) - maintenance,installation - improper, owner/builder (cause) - fuel system,pump - leak (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - Gear collapsed, emergency landing - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis The accident occurred during a test flight after the pilot made some adjustments to the engine. The engine operated normally during the flight. He returned to the airport and did one touch-and-go. He reported that he landed hard and bounced the airplane. He applied full throttle to go around. At about 500 feet the engine quit. He made an emergency landing in a bean field. The pilot reported that the engine installed on the experimental aircraft was designed for use as a ground power unit. The fuel pump on the engine was the original fuel pump and had not been certified for flight. The pilot reported that the fuel pump had a vacuum leak. He reported that the valve would not seat and did not create the necessary suction. ## Factual narrative On July 3, 1996, at 2115 central daylight time, an experimental Hewitt Cassutt 3M, N290E, sustained substantial damage when it landed hard during a forced landing due to loss of engine power. The private pilot received minor injuries. The 14 CFR 91 flight departed Vermillion, South Dakota, on a local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that the engine had been running rough at higher altitudes at low power settings. He reported that he had made some adjustments to the engine and flew the airplane to test the engine. He climbed to 8,000 feet and he reported that the engine operated normally with no indications of a problem. He returned to the airport and did one touch and go. He reported that he landed hard and bounced the airplane. He applied full throttle and did a go around. At about 500 feet the engine quit. He made an emergency landing in a bean field one half mile south of the runway. The pilot reported that the engine used on the experimental aircraft was a Lycoming O-290-G, which was originally used as a ground power unit. The fuel pump on the engine was the original fuel pump and had not been certified for flight. Examination of the engine by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the ignition system operated. The pilot reported that he had fueled the airplane with 12 gallons of fuel prior to flight and he never flew it with less than one half tank of fuel. The pilot reported that the fuel pump had a vacuum leak. He reported that the valve would not seat enough to create the necessary suction. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N290E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N290E-2017-04-13), registration cancelled 2017-04-13, S/N 52456DH, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hewitt CASSUTT 3M - Registry model: [Hewitt Douglas E 3M CASSUTT](https://openairdocs.org/model/hewitt-douglas-e-3m-cassutt) (registry code 05628S2) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 52456DH - Airframe hours: 80 - Engines: Lycoming O-290-G 125 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Douglas E. Hewitt - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 25, 1996, 1 hours before - Departed: VMR - Airport: VMR, Harold Davidson Field, runway 12, 4,100 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 120 total, 80 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 70 °F - Observed at: VMR, 1 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 19960703016359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960703016359A), Jul 3, 1996: Amtr CASSUTT3M, Vermlillion, SD, Substantial damage. (.4)The accident occurred during a test flight after the pilot made some adjustments to the engine. The engine operated normally during the flight. He returned… 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.