# NTSB ERA10LA458: Bird CK, N765N, Eagles Mere, PA, August 31, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 31, 2010, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Eagles Mere, PA - Coordinates: 41.391109, -76.611389 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3911&lon=-76.6114&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 13, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 77152 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10LA458 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77152/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA458 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of degradation of the fuel tank coating which blocked the fuel supply. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Bird CK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=6840112), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel distribution](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Bird CK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md?model=6840112), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Not specified; cases with it: [Bird CK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=6840112), [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. - [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Bird CK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=6840112), [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: [Bird CK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=6840112), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Bird CK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=6840112), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bird CK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=6840112), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The antique biplane had recently undergone a complete restoration, including an overhaul of the engine. The accident flight was one of the first flights since the restoration was completed. After performing a preflight inspection, the pilot departed from the runway and during the takeoff climb, the engine "coughed," several times. The pilot checked the engine instruments and evaluated the engine condition, while remaining in the traffic pattern. After noticing no anomalies with the engine instruments, the pilot decided to fly to another airport, about 4 miles away. He landed uneventfully and taxied back for departure. Upon takeoff, as the airplane was about 3/4 down the runway, and at an altitude of about 150 feet, the engine lost power completely. The pilot was unable to land straight ahead due to trees and terrain, and decided to return to the airport. During the turn, the airplane stalled, and impacted the ground. Examination of the airplane revealed that during the restoration, the inside of the fuel tank was coated with an FAA approved product specifically designed for sealing older fuel tanks. This coating peeled off in large sheets and collected in the sump of the tank, blocking the fuel supply to the carburetor. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 31, 2010, at 1030 eastern daylight time, a Bird CK, N765N, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain following a loss of engine power after takeoff from Eagles Mere Field Airport (40PN), Eagles Mere, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. On the day of the accident, the pilot performed a pre-flight inspection, and checked the oil and fuel quantity, before starting the engine and letting it warm up for about 8-10 minutes. The pilot departed from Merritt Field Airport (4PN7), and during the takeoff climb, the airplane’s engine "coughed," several times. The pilot reported this was not uncommon for older radial engines, but he remained in the traffic pattern as he checked the engine instruments and evaluated the engine condition. After noticing no anomalies with the engine instruments, the pilot decided to fly to 40PN, about 4 miles away. He landed uneventfully and taxied back for departure. The pilot departed from 40PN, and as the airplane was about 3/4 down the runway, and at an altitude of about 150 feet, the engine lost power completely. The pilot decided he could not land straight ahead due to trees and terrain, and decided to make a left turn to return to the airport. He attempted to lower the nose of the airplane in an attempt to gain airspeed. As the airplane was about 15 feet above the ground, it “stalled,” and impacted the ground at an approximate 45-degree angle. The airplane then spun laterally and impacted a fence. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, multiengine land, and instrument airplane. His most recent second-class medical certificate was issued on April 7, 2010. At that time, he reported 1,600 hours of total flight experience. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION According to the pilot, the airplane was manufactured in 1932 and had been recently restored. The restoration took about 5 years and the airplane had accumulated about 5 hours of flight time since the restoration was completed. The antique biplane was powered by a Kinner B-54, 125-horsepower, radial engine. Examination of the aircraft and engine logbooks revealed the airplane was purchased in November 2005, with a total time of 1,513 hours. The engine was completely overhauled and reinstalled in the airplane on September 1, 2009. The most recent annual inspection was completed on October 1, 2009, at a total aircraft time of 1,516 hours. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION The recorded weather at Williamsport Regional Airport (IPT), about 16 miles to the southwest of the accident site, at 1054, included wind from 220 degrees at 4 knots, 7 miles visibility, clear skies, temperature 24 degrees C, dew point 18 degrees C, and altimeter setting 30.23 inches of mercury. WRECKAGE AND IMPACTINFORMATION The airplane was examined after the accident by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector. According to the inspector, the bi-plane sustained substantial damage to all four wings. Examination of the fuel tank revealed it was about 1/3 full of fuel. The inspector examined the fuel storage tank and truck used to fuel the airplane, and he noticed no contamination or water in the 100LL aviation fuel. He also noted the carburetor heat control was in the off position. Further examination revealed that during the restoration of the airplane, the inside of the fuel tank was coated with an FAA approved product specifically designed for sealing older fuel tanks. This coating peeled off in large sheets and collected in the sump of the tank, blocking the fuel supply to the carburetor. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N765N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N765N), registered now, S/N CK4033, built 1932 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BIRD CK - Registry model: [Bird CK](https://openairdocs.org/model/bird-ck) (registry code 6840112) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Kinner B5 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/kinner-b5-series) (registry code 37501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CK4033 - Airframe hours: 1516 - Engines: CONT MOTOR W670 SERIES 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Jenkins George Merritt - Registered owner: Jenkins George Merritt - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2009, 5 hours before - Departed: 40PN, Eagles Mere, PA - Destination: 40PN, Eagles Mere, PA - Airport: 40PN, Eagles Mere Field Airport, runway 12, 2,200 × 150 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 8, 2010; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,500 total, 4 in this make and model, 1,500 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 4 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: IPT, 16 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 20100831045969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100831045969A), Aug 31, 2010: Bird CK, Eagles Mere, PA, Substantial damage. During take off climb at 200 feet AGL the pilot experienced an engine failure. A forced, on airport, landing was made. Before touching down, the aircraft… ## Other investigations on N765N (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 SEA66D0119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA66D0119), Sep 11, 1965: Bird CK (N765N), Notus, ID, 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.