# NTSB ERA11LA282: Pfouts Alfred L Senior Aero SPT D260, N705AP, Palm Coast, FL, May 4, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 4, 2011, 13:45 local (17:45 UTC) - Place: Palm Coast, FL - Coordinates: 29.474166, -81.32917 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4742&lon=-81.3292&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 22, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 79038 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11LA282 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/79038/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79038 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA282 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Pfouts Alfred L SENIOR AERO SPT D260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=056010J), [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-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Pfouts Alfred L SENIOR AERO SPT D260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=056010J), [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: [Pfouts Alfred L SENIOR AERO SPT D260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=056010J), [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: [Pfouts Alfred L SENIOR AERO SPT D260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056010J), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the automotive-type electric fuel boost pump was installed the day prior to the accident flight. Shortly after takeoff, he turned off the electric boost pump when the airplane was about 200 feet above the ground. He noted that fuel pressure was low with only the engine-driven pump operating. He turned the electric boost pump back on, and the fuel pressure returned to an acceptable level. While approaching his destination, the fuel pressure again dropped, and the engine lost power. The pilot performed a forced landing and the airplane collided with trees. Examination of the wreckage revealed adequate fuel in the wing tanks; however, there was no fuel in the gascolator. Both fuel pumps were removed and tested, revealing no mechanical anomalies. While it is likely that the loss of engine power was caused by fuel starvation, the investigation could not definitively exclude other possible scenarios for the loss of engine power or a cause for the fuel starvation. ## Factual narrative On May 4, 2011, about 1345 eastern daylight time, a Pfouts Senior Aero Sport D260, N705AP, experienced a loss of engine power and force landed near Palm Coast, Florida. The airplane was substantially damaged. The experimental, amateur-built airplane was registered to and operated by the commercial pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Pierson, Florida (2J8) about 1330. The pilot reported that he turned off the electric boost pump shortly after takeoff, about 200 feet above the ground. He noted that his fuel pressure was low with only the engine-driven pump operating. He turned the boost pump back on and the fuel pressure returned to an acceptable level. While approaching St. Augustine, the fuel pressure again dropped, and the engine quit. The pilot force landed the airplane and it collided with trees. Initial examination of the airframe and engine by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the wing fuel tanks contained adequate fuel; however the fuel gascolator was dry. The electric pump was a Holley automotive-type fuel pump. The pilot reported that the electric boost pump was installed the day prior to the accident. The FAA inspector reported that the engine-driven pump was overhauled in September, 2010, and the pilot reported that it was installed 40 flight hours prior to the accident. On May 19, 2011, the FAA inspector examined both fuel pumps at a local FAA part 145 repair station. The electric fuel boost pump, which was a Holley model R90615AA automotive pump, was energized with an external electric source. The pump ran and "provided good suction at the inlet port." The engine-driven fuel pump was a Lear Sieglar model RD7790. The pump was fitted to a fuel flow test bench and after an initial boost of 1 psi, the pump maintained a pressure of 7 to 9 psi. The FAA inspector did not find any evidence of mechanical failure or malfunction with either pump. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N705AP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N705AP), registered now, S/N 7, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PFOUTS ALFRED L SENIOR AERO SPT D260 - Registry model: [Pfouts Alfred L SENIOR AERO SPT D260](https://openairdocs.org/model/pfouts-alfred-l-senior-aero-spt-d260) (registry code 056010J) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 7 - Airframe hours: 1140 - Engines: CONT MOTOR E-225 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Roderick John P - Registered owner: Roderick John P - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, January 5, 2011, 15 hours before - Departed: 2J8, Pierson, FL - Destination: SGJ, St. Augustine, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2009; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,281 total, 300 in this make and model, 2,191 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 63 °F - Observed at: XFL, 8 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 20110504007729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110504007729A), May 4, 2011: Pfouts, Alfred L SENIOR AERO SPT D260, Bunnell, FL, Substantial damage. A/c dep pierson FL. (2J8) enroute to st. augustine FL. (Sgj) at aprox 200 ft after takeoff, cut off electric fuel pump, fuel press from mech pump aprox 3-4 PSI… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 7, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79038. 702 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 636 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353245&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation with FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 31 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353247&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 3, .PDF, 35 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353248&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-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.