# NTSB ERA10LA179: Ferguson William C FX4-2, N8508H, Cartersville, GA, March 19, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 19, 2010, 15:20 local (19:20 UTC) - Place: Cartersville, GA - Coordinates: 34.123054, -84.848609 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1231&lon=-84.8486&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 18, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75541 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10LA179 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75541/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75541 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA179 ## Probable cause The failure of the engine-driven oil pump drive coupling resulting in a loss lubrication and subsequent loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng oil sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058550): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Ferguson William C FX4-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058550/cases.md?model=05902EE), [All aircraft, 130 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058550/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: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Ferguson William C FX4-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05902EE), [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: [Ferguson William C FX4-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05902EE), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Ferguson William C FX4-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05902EE), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot and certified flight instructor (CFI) were practicing takeoffs and landings. On the fourth takeoff, the airplane lifted off and the engine temperatures were within the normal range. At traffic pattern altitude, the pilot reduced power and turned left to enter the downwind leg of the traffic pattern. Shortly after making the turn, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The CFI took control of the airplane as the pilot restarted the engine. The engine regained full power for about five seconds and then shut down again. The CFI maneuvered the airplane for an off-airport landing in a pasture adjacent to the runway. The airplane landed hard and subsequently pivoted up on the nose cone before coming to a stop. During a postaccident examination and test run of the engine the two-cycle engine started and ran continuously on the airframe. When the engine was accelerated to full throttle, it lost power. Further examination revealed a failure of the engine-driven oil pump drive coupling. The resultant loss of lubrication and increased heat melted the rear piston lands over the piston rings. This led to a loss of cylinder compression and subsequent loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On March 19, 2010, about 1520 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur built Ferguson FX4-2 light sport aircraft, N8508H, was substantially damaged following a forced landing near the Cartersville Airport (VPC), Cartersville, Georgia. The sport pilot/owner and certified flight instructor were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight, which was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to practice takeoffs and landings at VPC. He stated that he and the instructor performed a preflight inspection of the airplane, and conducted 3 takeoffs and landings from runway 19 without incident. The pilot stated that on the fourth takeoff, the airplane lifted off as usual and everything seemed normal He stated that the engine temperatures were within the normal range. At traffic pattern altitude, the pilot reduced power to maintain 70 miles per hour (mph) and turned left to enter the downwind leg of the traffic pattern. Shortly after making the turn, the engine shut down and the instructor took control of the airplane as the pilot attempted to restart the engine. The instructor stated that the engine started and regained full power for about 5 seconds and then shut down again. He maneuvered the airplane for an off-airport landing in a pasture east of the runway. He stated that the landing in the pasture was very hard, and the airplane pivoted up on the nose cone before coming to a stop. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who responded to the accident site reported that there were 4 gallons of usable fuel on board the airplane. The airplane's total fuel capacity was 5 gallons. According to FAA and maintenance records, the airplane was manufactured in 2006, and had accrued 106 total aircraft hours. Its most recent annual inspection was completed July 15, 2009, at 92 total aircraft hours. The pilot held a sport pilot certificate with a valid driver's license in lieu of an FAA medical certificate. His total flight time was 73 hours, with 33 hours in the accident airplane make and model. The instructor held an airline transport pilot certificate with a rating for airplane multiengine land, a commercial pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single engine land, and a flight instructor certificate with ratings for airplane single and multiengine. His most recent first-class FAA medical certificate was issued in July, 2009. He reported 7,100 hours of total flight experience, but his total experience in the accident airplane make and model could not be determined. A detailed examination of the airplane's engine was conducted under the supervision of a FAA inspector. During a initial test run, the two-cycle engine started and ran continuously on the airframe. Later in the run, when the engine was accelerated to full throttle the engine lost power. Further examination revealed afailure of the engine-driven oil pump drive coupling. The rear piston lands over the piston rings showed thermal distress consistent with the loss of lubrication and cylinder compression was diminished. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8508H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8508H-2021-05-28), registration cancelled 2021-05-28, S/N 2001, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: FERGUSON WILLIAM C FX4-2 - Registry model: [Ferguson William C FX4-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/ferguson-william-c-fx4-2) (registry code 05902EE) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Hirth 3500 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/hirth-3500-series) (registry code 33734, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2001 - Airframe hours: 106 - Engines: HIRTH 3500 SER 270 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Young Robert E - Registered owner: Young Robert E - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 15, 2009, 14 hours before - Departed: VPC, Cartersville, GA - Destination: VPC, Cartersville, GA - Airport: VPC, Cartersville Airport, runway 19, 5,760 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; seat: left; flight hours: 73 total, 33 in this make and model - Flight instructor; age 44; injuries: none; flight engineer, flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: without waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 7,100 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: VPC ## 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 20100319029709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100319029709A), Mar 19, 2010: Ferguson Wi FX4-2, Cartersville, GA, Substantial damage. According to statements received from both [privacy data omitted] and CFI, shortly after takeoff from vpc at approx. 1300 ft turning crosswind, aircraft engine… ## Docket (9 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 27, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75541. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (Memo) (item 1, .PDF, 20 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40341105&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20(Memo)-Master.PDF - Crew Statements (item 2, .PDF, 87 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40341106&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Crew%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Memorandum (item 3, .PDF, 20 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40341107&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Memorandum-Master.PDF - Federal Aviation Administration Inspector Statement (item 4, .PDF, 21 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339980&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Federal%20Aviation%20Administration%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum of Record-Aircraft Manufacturer (item 5, .PDF, 27 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40340021&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record-Aircraft%20Manufacturer-Master.PDF - Weather Reports: VPC METARs (item 6, .PDF, 90 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40341193&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%3A%20VPC%20METARs-Master.PDF - Photo #1: View of Wreckage (Courtesy of FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339985&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20%231%3A%20View%20of%20Wreckage%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo #2: View of Broken Oil Pump Drive Shaft (Courtesy of FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 657 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339986&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20%232%3A%20View%20of%20Broken%20Oil%20Pump%20Drive%20Shaft%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo #3: View of melted piston (Courtesy of FAA) (item 9, .PDF, 721 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339988&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20%233%3A%20View%20of%20melted%20piston%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.