# NTSB DFW08LA106: Tomblingson-Leathers Breezy RLU-1, N3921, Groveton, TX, April 19, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 19, 2008, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Groveton, TX - Coordinates: 30.934999, -95.011665 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.9350&lon=-95.0117&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report January 29, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviaiton Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 67850 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08LA106 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67850/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08LA106 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the forced landing. Contributing factors were the non-suitable terrain for the forced landing and the pilot's lack of experience in the airplane. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Tomblingson-Leathers BREEZY RLU-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000/cases.md?model=05611EV), [All aircraft, 151 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Tomblingson-Leathers BREEZY RLU-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=05611EV), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/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: [Tomblingson-Leathers BREEZY RLU-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=05611EV), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Tomblingson-Leathers BREEZY RLU-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=05611EV), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Tomblingson-Leathers BREEZY RLU-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05611EV), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Tomblingson-Leathers BREEZY RLU-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05611EV), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Tomblingson-Leathers BREEZY RLU-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05611EV), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Tomblingson-Leathers BREEZY RLU-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05611EV), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis While in cruise flight the experimental airplane’s single engine lost complete power. Following an unsuccessful engine restart attempt, the pilot with one hour in airplane make and model, elected to perform a forced landing to a clearing. While about 50 feet above the ground, the airplane stalled and entered a spin. Moments later the airplane impacted the ground. The airplane came to rest nose pointing upward with the pilot elevated about eight feet above the ground. The pilot released his seatbelt, fell to the ground, and was able to pull himself away from the wreckage. There was no post crash fire. An airframe and powerplant (A&P) mechanic examined the engine for the IIC. The examination did not reveal the cause of the loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On April 19, 2008, approximately 1300 central daylight time, a single-engine Tomblingson-Leathers Breezy RLU-1 experimental airplane, N3921, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power near Groveton, Texas. The pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by Raymond Rodgers Enterprise LLC. Visual meteorological prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The 123 mile cross-country flight originated from Cleveland Municipal Airport (6R3), Cleveland Texas, at 1200 and was destined for the David Campbell Field-Corsicana Municipal Airport (CRS), Corsicana, Texas. The pilot reported that while in cruise flight the engine began sputtering and then lost complete power. Following an unsuccessful engine restart attempt, the pilot elected to perform a forced landing to a clearing. The pilot reported that while about 50 feet above the ground, the airplane stalled and entered a spin. Moments later the airplane impacted the ground. The airplane came to rest nose pointing upward with the pilot elevated about eight feet above the ground. The pilot released his seatbelt, fell to the ground, and was able to pull himself away from the wreckage. There was no post crash fire. The pilot further reported that he had accrued about one hour flying time in the airplane make and model before the accident. In addition, the pilot reported that he had "topped off" both fuel tanks a short time before the accident. According to photographs provided to the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC), the airplane's fuselage and both wings sustained structural damage. An airframe and powerplant (A&P) mechanic examined the engine for the IIC. The mechanic reported that both magnetos were removed and spun on a test bench. No anomalies were noted. The carburetor venturi was found secure in place. The ignition timing was found at 32-degrees before top dead center (TDC). All spark plugs appeared normal. A cylinder compression check was performed with the following results: #1 76/80, #2 75/80, #3 76/80, and #4 74/80. The examination did not reveal the cause of the loss of engine power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3921](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3921-2012-09-21), registration cancelled 2012-09-21, S/N EL2-2, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: TOMBLINGSON-LEATHERS BREEZY RLU-1 - Registry model: [Tomblingson-Leathers BREEZY RLU-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/tomblingson-leathers-breezy-rlu-1) (registry code 05611EV) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: EL2-2 - Airframe hours: 638 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, April 16, 2008 - Departed: 6R3, CLEVELAND, TX - Destination: CRS, CORSICANA, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 15, 2006; seat: front; flight hours: 809 total, 1 in this make and model, 648 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: LFK, 20 nm away ## Other investigations on N3921 (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 FTW79DPA01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79DPA01), Oct 8, 1978: Breezy I (N3921), Sulphur Spgs, TX, substantial damage 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.