# NTSB ERA09LA182: Moore Glenn Moronca, N404AF, Burgaw, NC, March 5, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 5, 2009, 13:20 local (17:20 UTC) - Place: Burgaw, NC - Coordinates: 34.527778, -77.849998 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5278&lon=-77.8500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report October 21, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73442 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09LA182 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73442/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73442 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA182 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power due to fuel contamination as a result of the pilot's operation of the airplane with a deteriorated fuel tank. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Moore Glenn MORONCA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=05904TQ), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel storage](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022810): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Moore Glenn MORONCA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022810/cases.md?model=05904TQ), [All aircraft, 60 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022810/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Moore Glenn MORONCA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05904TQ), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) (defining event); cases with it: [Moore Glenn MORONCA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md?model=05904TQ), [All aircraft, 225 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Moore Glenn MORONCA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05904TQ), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Moore Glenn MORONCA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05904TQ), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Moore Glenn MORONCA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05904TQ), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis A witness reported hearing an airplane’s engine sputter before hearing the crash. The airplane appeared to have clipped trees on its descent to the field, impacted the ground nose first, and bounced once to its final resting place. A postcrash examination found small particle contaminants in the airplane’s fuel system. The interior of the tank was found to be deteriorating and flaking apart. The amateur-built airplane was issued an experimental airworthiness certificate on April 12, 2008. The fuselage was primarily Aeronca with the wings and landing gear system designed by the owner/pilot. The airplane had accumulated a total of 47.21 hours since the time it was built. Its last inspection, a conditional, took place on November 28, 2008 and the airplane flew seven hours between that inspection and the time of the accident. Six weeks prior to the accident the pilot had reported that the airplane’s engine had cut out. The pilot told his friend he found some debris in the fuel tank and that he would “keep an eye on it.” The cross bar, to which the pilot’s shoulder harness was secured, separated from the airframe at impact. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On March 5, 2009, at 1320 eastern daylight time (EDT), an experimental, amateur-built, Glenn Moore Moronca, N404AF, incurred substantial damage when it impacted terrain during a forced landing about one mile southeast of Stag Park (7NC1) in Burgaw, North Carolina. The owner/pilot succumbed to his injuries later that day. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, personal flight. The airplane crashed into a small, freshly plowed field located near the property owner’s house. The property owner/witness reported hearing the engine sputter before hearing the airplane impact the ground. The witness did not see the airplane until after the crash had occurred. A member of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) chapter that the pilot belonged to stated that six weeks prior to the accident the pilot had reported that the airplane’s engine had cut out. After examining the fuel system, the pilot told the EAA member that he found some debris in the tank and he would “keep an eye on it.” PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot, age 80, held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single engine land rating. He was issued a third class medical certificate on October 12, 2004, with the limitation that he must wear corrective lenses. The pilot reported having 1,600 hours at the time the medical was issued. He was also issued a repairman experimental aircraft builder certificate on June 17, 2008. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The amateur built airplane was issued an experimental airworthiness certificate on April 12, 2008. The airplane was powered by a Continental C-65-8, 65 horsepower rated engine. The fuselage was primarily Aeronca with the wings and landing gear system designed by the pilot. The responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector stated that a review of the airplane’s logbook showed that the airplane had accumulated a total of 47.21 hours since the time it was built. Its last inspection, a conditional, took place on November 28, 2008 and the airplane flew seven hours between that inspection and the time of the accident. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION The nearest weather observation facility was located 15 miles south of the accident site at Wilmington International Airport, in Wilmington, North Carolina. An aviation routine weather report (METAR) issued for 1353 EDT on the date of the accident included wind 110 degrees at 8 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clear skies, temperature 12 degrees Celsius (C), dew point -5 degrees C, and altimeter 30.50 inches of mercury. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The responding FAA inspector stated that the airplane crashed into a soft, recently plowed, field about one nautical mile to the southeast of its departure point. Trees near the field displayed fresh breaks and tears, showing evidence of impact during the airplane’s descent. Thirteen yards behind the airplane was a large crater area where it appearedthe nose had first impacted the ground. This area contained the remains of the propeller, which was destroyed on impact. The cross bar were the pilot’s shoulder harness was attached to ripped away during the crash, and the landing gear was torn from the airplane. Both wings suffered damage consistent with impact from trees. The fuel system gascolator was found five yards behind the aircraft, residual fuel was found in the tanks, and there was a strong scent of fuel in the air around the wreckage. The oil tank, engine air intake, and carburetor were all crushed. A post crash assessment performed by members of the EAA familiar with the airplane found small contaminant particles within the fuel tank’s drained fitting, which supplied fuel to the engine. The fuel tank was cut opened, the interior was observed deteriorating and flaking apart. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION The Coastal Pathology Associates Office in Jacksonville, North Carolina, conducted a postmortem examination. The cause of death for the pilot was blunt force trauma and the toxicology report was negative for ethanol. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N404AF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N404AF-2009-07-29), registration cancelled 2009-07-29, S/N 005, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MOORE GLENN MORONCA - Registry model: [Moore Glenn MORONCA](https://openairdocs.org/model/moore-glenn-moronca) (registry code 05904TQ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A-65-8](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-65-8) (registry code 17329, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 005 - Airframe hours: 47 - Engines: Continental A65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, November 28, 2008, 7 hours before - Departed: 7NC1, Burgaw, NC - Destination: 7NC1, Burgaw, NC - Airport: 7NC1, Stag Air Park ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 80; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,658 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 30.50 inHg - Observed at: ILM, 15 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 20090305004859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090305004859A), Mar 5, 2009: Mooreg MORONCA, Burgaw, NC, Destroyed, 1 fatal. (-23) Aircraft departed from Stag Air Park for a local flight. Shortly thereafter, a witness heard the aircraft flying and stated that the engine sounded like… ## Docket (11 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 28, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73442. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 9 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331295&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Reports from Local Agencies:Excerpts from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol Report. (item 2, .PDF, 102 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331313&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Local%20Agencies%3AExcerpts%20from%20the%20North%20Carolina%20State%20Highway%20Patrol%20Report.-Redacted.PDF - Reports from Federal Agencies: Federal Aviation Administration Inspector's Statment. (item 3, .PDF, 181 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331297&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Federal%20Agencies%3A%20Federal%20Aviation%20Administration%20Inspector%27s%20Statment.-Master.PDF - Other Pertinent Forms and Reports: Record of Conversation. (item 4, .PDF, 41 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331298&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports%3A%20Record%20of%20Conversation.-Redacted.PDF - Other Pertinent Forms and Reports: Wreckage Examiantion Report. (item 5, .PDF, 172 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331299&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports%3A%20Wreckage%20Examiantion%20Report.-Redacted.PDF - Toxicological Report (item 6, .PDF, 26 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331300&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report-Master.PDF - Photo 1) View of Wreckage. Photo Provided by Pender County Emergency Management. (item 7, .PDF, 307 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331302&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201)%20View%20of%20Wreckage.%20Photo%20Provided%20by%20Pender%20County%20Emergency%20Management.-Master.PDF - Photo 2) Close up View of Cabin Area and Wing Cross Bar Bracing. Photo Provide by Pender County Emergency Management. (item 8, .PDF, 171 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331303&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202)%20Close%20up%20View%20of%20Cabin%20Area%20and%20Wing%20Cross%20Bar%20Bracing.%20Photo%20Provide%20by%20Pender%20County%20Emergency%20Management.-Master.PDF - Photo 3) View of the Shoulder Harness with Separated Section of the Wings Cross Bar Bracing. Photo Provide by EAA 297 Memebers. (item 9, .PDF, 137 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331304&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203)%20View%20of%20the%20Shoulder%20Harness%20with%20Separated%20Section%20of%20the%20Wings%20Cross%20Bar%20Bracing.%20Photo%20Provide%20by%20EAA%20297%20Memebers.-Master.PDF - Photo 4) View of Inside the Fuel Tank Drain Point. Photo Provided by EAA 297 Members. (item 10, .PDF, 146 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331305&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204)%20View%20of%20Inside%20the%20Fuel%20Tank%20Drain%20Point.%20Photo%20Provided%20by%20EAA%20297%20Members.-Master.PDF - Photo 5) View of Fuel Tank Drain Fitting with Debris. Photo Provide by EAA 297 Members. (item 11, .PDF, 134 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331306&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205)%20View%20of%20Fuel%20Tank%20Drain%20Fitting%20with%20Debris.%20Photo%20Provide%20by%20EAA%20297%20Members.-Master.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.