# NTSB ERA12CA371: Aero Works Aero Lite 103, N2355L, Lincolnton, NC, May 21, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 20, 2012, 20:30 local (May 21, 2012, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Lincolnton, NC - Coordinates: 35.470832, -81.252777 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4708&lon=-81.2528&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 15, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83791 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA371 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83791/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83791 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA371 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to fuel flow interruption, which resulted from a stuck carburetor bowl needle. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine fuel and control: fuel control/carburetor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeroworks AEROLITE 103, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322/cases.md?model=059020T), [All aircraft, 195 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Aeroworks AEROLITE 103, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=059020T), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Aeroworks AEROLITE 103, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=059020T), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aeroworks AEROLITE 103, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=059020T), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he taxied to the end of the runway, conducted an engine run-up, and prepared for takeoff. He said that the airplane developed full power during the initial climb but that it began to lose power about 300 feet above ground level. He turned back toward the airport and made an emergency landing in vegetation on the side of the runway. The airplane’s right wing was substantially damaged. Postaccident examination revealed that the carburetor bowl needle was stuck in the closed position. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he taxied to the end of the runway, conducted a run up, and prepared for takeoff. He said that the airplane developed full power during the initial climb, but began to lose power at approximately 300 feet above ground level. He made a 180-degree turn back towards the runway, but was unable to make it to the airport. He made an off field emergency landing which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. During an examination of the engine, the carburetor bowl needle was found stuck in the closed position. The pilot did not report any flight control malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2355L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2355L-2020-10-31), registration cancelled 2020-10-31, S/N A-AWI-121702-127-R503, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aero Works Aero Lite 103 - Registry model: [Aeroworks AEROLITE-103](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeroworks-aerolite-103) (registry code 05902LV) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 503 DCDI](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-503-dcdi) (registry code 55566, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Ultralight - Serial number: A-AWI-121702-127-R50 - Airframe hours: 264 - Engines: Rotax 503 53 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Kenneth F. Carpenter - Registered owner: Kenneth F. Carpenter - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 18, 2012, 2 hours before - Departed: Lincolnton, NC - Destination: Lincolnton, NC - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: Pvt Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 8, 2011; seat: center; flight hours: 537 total, 264 in this make and model, 490 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: IPJ ## 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 20120520017439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120520017439A), May 20, 2012: Aeroworks AEROLITE-103, Lincolnton, NC, Substantial damage. Aircraft initial run-up was good. At approximately 300 feet the aircraft engine "died down". The pilot decided to return to the field. The aircraft landed to… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 18, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83791. 4.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371939&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot statement (item 2, .PDF, 150 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371940&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20statement-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation-Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371941&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-Pilot-Master.PDF - Photo 1- View of airplane on side of runway (item 4, .PDF, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371942&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201-%20View%20of%20airplane%20on%20side%20of%20runway-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.