# NTSB ERA09LA081: Merrell Stephen F1 Rocket, N757SM, Sebastian, FL, December 7, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 7, 2008, 16:19 local (21:19 UTC) - Place: Sebastian, FL - Coordinates: 27.803611, -80.51583 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.8036&lon=-80.5158&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 14, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 69540 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09LA081 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69540/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA081 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's incorrect positioning of the fuel selector valve. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system: fuel selector/shutoff valve](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Merrell Stephen F1 ROCKET EVO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md?model=05623IV), [All aircraft, 176 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Merrell Stephen F1 ROCKET EVO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=05623IV), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management; cases with it: [Merrell Stephen F1 ROCKET EVO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=05623IV), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Merrell Stephen F1 ROCKET EVO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=05623IV), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Merrell Stephen F1 ROCKET EVO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05623IV), [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: [Merrell Stephen F1 ROCKET EVO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05623IV), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); cases with it: [Merrell Stephen F1 ROCKET EVO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=05623IV), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the amateur-built airplane elected to operate the airplane on the accident date with the fuel selector positioned to the right tank, and flew to a nearby airport where he performed an uneventful full-stop taxi-back landing. The pilot initiated takeoff with the fuel selector positioned to the right tank which was nearly empty and contrary to the Before Take Off checklist, and remained in the traffic pattern. While on the downwind leg abeam the approach end of the intended runway with another airplane on the extended downwind leg, the engine experienced a loss of power due to fuel starvation. He regained control of the airplane, which took 15 to 20 seconds, maintained best glide airspeed and then turned towards the runway. Unable to land on the runway, he maneuvered the airplane for a forced landing, but before ground contact he switched the fuel selector to the left tank position. Engine power was not restored and the airplane was substantially damaged during the off-airport forced landing. Postaccident examination revealed, a total of approximately 15 gallons of fuel in the left fuel tank, while the right fuel tank was empty. The fuel tanks were not breached and there was no evidence of fuel leakage at the scene. ## Factual narrative On December 7, 2008, about 1619 eastern standard time, an experimental amateur built Merrell F1 Rocket EVO, N757SM, registered to and operated by a private individual, experienced a loss of engine power and was substantially damaged during an off airport forced landing near Sebastian Municipal Airport (X26), Sebastian, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal local flight from X26. The commercial-certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated about 4 minutes earlier from X26. The pilot stated that the airplane was fueled the day before at X26 which brought the usable fuel supply to approximately 45 gallons. The airplane was then flown to Rockledge Airport (21FA), and secured; no discrepancies were noted during the return flight after fueling. The flight duration was 1.2 hours which included a climb at full throttle to 7,000 feet mean sea level. The pilot further stated that on the afternoon of the accident date, he performed a preflight inspection of the airplane and reported observing a "skim amount of fuel" in the right fuel tank, while the left tank contained an estimated three inches greater quantity of fuel. He elected to depart 21FA with the fuel selector positioned to the right fuel tank and proceeded to X26, where he performed a full stop taxi back landing on runway 04. He performed an engine run-up before departure, and after takeoff with the fuel selector positioned to the right tank, the flight remained in left traffic pattern for runway 04. During the downwind leg when the flight was abeam the approach end of runway 04, behind another airplane that was on an extended downwind, the engine lost power. He had to regain control of the airplane which took 15-20 seconds, maintained best glide airspeed, and turned towards the runway. Realizing he would be unable to land on the runway, he maneuvered the airplane for a forced landing. Before ground contact he switched the fuel selector to the left tank position but this did not restore engine power. After coming to rest upright, he evacuated the airplane and called 911 for assistance. Inspection of the airplane and accident site was performed the following day by an FAA airworthiness inspector. The examination of both revealed no evidence of fuel leakage, which was also later confirmed by a State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection employee. The fuel selector was found positioned to the left tank, and the fuel tanks were not breached. The fuselage was broken forward of the horizontal and vertical stabilizers, and all three propeller blades were bent aft. The airplane was released for recovery. According to an individual who helped recover the airplane, the right fuel tank was empty, and the left fuel tank contained approximately 15 gallons. An individual who retained the wreckage following recovery confirmed neither fuel tank wasbreached. No obstructions of the fuel supply system from each wing root area to the engine compartment were noted. Additionally, fuel was noted in the fuel gascolator, in the fuel line between the auxiliary fuel pump and engine-driven fuel pump, and also in the bottom portion of the engine-driven fuel pump. Safety Board review of the Before Take Off checklist revealed the fuel selector is to be positioned to the fullest tank. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N757SM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N757SM-2010-09-15), registration cancelled 2010-09-15, S/N 150, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MERRELL STEPHEN F1 ROCKET - Registry model: [Merrell Stephen F1 ROCKET EVO](https://openairdocs.org/model/merrell-stephen-f1-rocket-evo) (registry code 05623IV) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Mattituck TMX-540](https://openairdocs.org/engine/mattituck-tmx-540) (registry code 59604, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 150 - Airframe hours: 135 - Engines: MATTITUCK TMX-540 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Stephen Merrell - Registered owner: Stephen Merrell - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, October 27, 2008, 20 hours before - Departed: X26, Sebastian, FL - Destination: X26, Sebastian, FL - Airport: X26, Sebastion Municipal Airport, runway 04, 4,024 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 9, 2008; seat: front; flight hours: 425 total, 115 in this make and model, 353 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: VRB, 10 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 20081207854469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081207854469A), Dec 7, 2008: Merril F1ROCKETEVO, Sebastian, FL, Substantial damage. Shortly after takeoff from Sebastian airport pilot stated he lost engine power. Pilot then decided to try and return to airport but landed in a marshy area… 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.