# NTSB DFW08CA211: Murray Frank H DA5B, N1002W, Odessa, TX, August 21, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 21, 2008, 08:00 local (13:00 UTC) - Place: Odessa, TX - Coordinates: 31.818611, -102.471946 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8186&lon=-102.4719&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: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 22, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68758 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08CA211 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68758/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA211 ## Probable cause Failure of the intake manifold when the flexible connectors disconnected from the carburetor after a turbulence encounter. Contributing to the accident was insuitable terrain for a forced landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system: fuel distribution](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Murray Frank H DA5B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md?model=05614KQ), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Murray Frank H DA5B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=05614KQ), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Murray Frank H DA5B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=05614KQ), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360); cases with it: [Murray Frank H DA5B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md?model=05614KQ), [All aircraft, 423 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) (defining event); cases with it: [Murray Frank H DA5B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=05614KQ), [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: [Murray Frank H DA5B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05614KQ), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Murray Frank H DA5B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05614KQ), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot departed on a 42-nautical-mile cross-country flight in his homebuilt single-place experimental aircraft and was in cruise flight when he encountered turbulence and the engine quit. The pilot reported that he encountered rough air at his cruise altitude of 4000 feet and decided to descend to 3800 feet for smoother air. As he began the descent the engine began to run rough and then quit. During the forced landing the airplane struck a fence and trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, landing gear, and empannage. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector, during an on scene investigation, found that the carburetor had separated from the intake manifold at the flexible rubber couplings. ## Factual narrative The pilot departed on a 42 nautical mile cross country flight in his homebuilt single place experimental aircraft and was in cruise flight when he encountered turbulence and the engine quit. The pilot reported that he encountered rough air at his cruise altitude of 4000 feet and decided to descend to 3800 feet for smoother air. As he began the descent the engine began to run rough and then quit. During the forced landing the airplane struck a fence and mesquite trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, landing gear, and empannage. A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, during an on scene investigation, found the carburetor had separated from the intake manifold at the flexible rubber couplings. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1002W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1002W-2012-01-27), registration cancelled 2012-01-27, S/N 06, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MURRAY FRANK H DA5B - Registry model: [Murray Frank H DA5B](https://openairdocs.org/model/murray-frank-h-da5b) (registry code 05614KQ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 06 - Airframe hours: 53 - Engines: VOLKSWAGEN CONVERSION 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 30, 2008, 6 hours before - Departed: KODO, Odessa, TX - Destination: E01, Monahans, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 80; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; last flight review January 20, 2008; seat: single; flight hours: 150 total, 53 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: KODO ## 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 20080821842999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080821842999A), Aug 21, 2008: Amtr DA5B, Odessa, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) At 0800 local time, [privacy data omitted] in N1002W, a DA5B experimental aircraft, he completed building in 2004, was cruising to monahans,Texas. He had… ## Other investigations on N1002W (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 DFW05CA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA005), Oct 13, 2004: Murray DA5B (N1002W), Odessa, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing. A contributing factor was the unsuitable terrain for landing. 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.