# NTSB ERA09CA361: Hummelbird Hummelbird, N824RS, Sunrise, FL, June 21, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 21, 2009, 11:21 local (15:21 UTC) - Place: Sunrise, FL - Coordinates: 26.196666, -80.294998 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.1967&lon=-80.2950&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 10, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74093 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA361 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74093/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74093 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA361 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power during cruise flight for an undetermined reason. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: pole](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Squeglia R/Wheeler W HUMMEL BIRD, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md?model=05611NO), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Squeglia R/Wheeler W HUMMEL BIRD, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05611NO), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/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 (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Squeglia R/Wheeler W HUMMEL BIRD, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=05611NO), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Squeglia R/Wheeler W HUMMEL BIRD, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05611NO), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot/builder of an experimental, amateur-built airplane was in cruise flight at 1,000 feet above ground level when the engine started running rough. The pilot stated that he was unable to maintain altitude, and performed an emergency off-field landing on a road. During the landing roll the tailwheel broke; the pilot then lost control of the airplane, which impacted a metal pole, resulting in damage to the right wing forward spar. According to the pilot, the airplane had 4.5 gallons of fuel on board at departure and flew for 25 minutes prior to the accident. During examination of the airplane, the pilot/builder did not note any mechanical anomalies. The airplane was equipped with a non-certificated, 37.5 horsepower Volkswagen engine. ## Factual narrative The pilot/builder of an experimental, amateur-built airplane was in cruise flight at 1,000 feet above ground level when the engine started running rough. The pilot stated that he was unable to maintain altitude, and performed an emergency off-field landing on a road. During the landing roll the tailwheel broke; the pilot then lost control of the airplane, which impacted a metal pole, resulting in damage to the right wing forward spar. According to the pilot, the airplane had 4.5 gallons of fuel on board at departure and flew for 25 minutes prior to the accident. During examination of the airplane, the pilot/builder did not note any mechanical anomalies. The airplane was equipped with a non-certificated, 37.5 horsepower Volkswagen engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N824RS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N824RS), registered now, S/N 304A, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hummelbird Hummelbird - Registry model: [Squeglia R/Wheeler W HUMMEL BIRD](https://openairdocs.org/model/squeglia-r-wheeler-w-hummel-bird) (registry code 05611NO) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 304 - Airframe hours: 169 - Engines: Volkswagon 38 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Ralph Squeglia - Registered owner: Ralph Squeglia - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, June 1, 2009 - Departed: PMP, Pompano Beach, FL - Destination: HWO, Hollywood, FL - Airport: PMP, Pompano Beach Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 82; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 4, 1999; seat: center; flight hours: 385 total, 169 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 77 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: FLL, 10 nm away ## Other investigations on N824RS (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 ERA11CA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA029), Oct 18, 2010: Squeglia R/Wheeler W Hummel Bird (N824RS), Hollywood, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate flare, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 29, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74093. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 679 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316212&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports (item 2, .PDF, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316220&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports-Master.PDF - Digital Photograph Provided by FAA. View Showing Damage to Right Wing. (item 3, .PDF, 419 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316215&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Digital%20Photograph%20Provided%20by%20FAA.%20View%20Showing%20Damage%20to%20Right%20Wing.-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 4, .PDF, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316222&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Redacted.PDF 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.