# NTSB ERA12LA584: Keuthan Buccaneer II, N710WP, Granite Quarry, NC, September 30, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 30, 2012, 17:55 local (21:55 UTC)
- Place: Granite Quarry, NC
- Coordinates: 35.6175, -80.443885 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6175&lon=-80.4439&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: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 13, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 85168
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12LA584
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85168/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85168
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA584

## Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate preflight fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Keuthan BUCCANEER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=05903DN), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md)
- [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Keuthan BUCCANEER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=05903DN), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/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 exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192); cases with it: [Keuthan BUCCANEER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=05903DN), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md)
- [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Keuthan BUCCANEER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05903DN), [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: [Keuthan BUCCANEER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05903DN), [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: [Keuthan BUCCANEER II, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05903DN), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot added about 5 gallons of automotive gasoline to the aircraft fuel tank before departing on a local flight. Witnesses observed the amphibious airplane flying low, and the engine lost power. The airplane then struck power lines and crashed in an open field. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of a pre-existing mechanical malfunction or failure. An aircraft recovery parachute was found partially deployed within the wreckage. An examination of the aircraft fuel lines revealed only a small amount of residual fuel. The fuel tank contained only residual fuel and was not breached.

## Factual narrative

The airplane was a single-engine, high-wing, amphibious airplane, serial number 1. It was powered by a Rotax 582 DCDI engine rated at 65 horsepower. The airframe and engine logbooks were not recovered following the accident. According to the manufacturer’s performance charts, the fuel consumption range was about 2.1 gallons per hour (at 3,000 rpm) to 6.1 gallons per hour (at 6,800 rpm). According to the aircraft weight and balance data, the aircraft fuel capacity was about 10 gallons. On September 30, 2012, about 1755 eastern daylight time, a Keuthan Buccaneer II, N710WP, was substantially damaged following a forced landing near Granite Quarry, North Carolina. The private pilot was fatally injured. The experimental, amateur-built, amphibious airplane was registered to and operated by the 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 local flight originated at Rowan County Airport (RUQ), Salisbury, North Carolina, about 1655. A witness, who was also the pilot’s flight instructor, observed the pilot refuel the airplane with 5 gallons of automotive gasoline about one hour prior to the accident. Subsequently, other witnesses observed the engine lose power at low altitude. They observed or heard the airplane descend and crash in a rural field about 4 1/2 miles from RUQ. An autopsy was performed on the pilot at the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The autopsy report noted the cause of death as “blunt force trauma of the head and chest due to an ultra light plane crash.” Forensic toxicology testing was performed on specimens of the pilot by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory (CAMI), Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The CAMI toxicology report indicated no carbon monoxide, cyanide, ethanol, or drugs. The 1755 surface weather observation for RUQ included clear skies, wind calm, visibility 10 statute miles or greater, temperature 20 degrees C, dew point 12 degrees C, and altimeter 29.87 inches of mercury. The pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, airplane multiengine land, and airplane single-engine sea. He reported a total flight experience of 500 hours on his latest airman certificate application for his airplane single-engine sea rating, dated August 18, 2012. At that time he reported 445 hours as pilot-in-command. The pilot’s personal logbook was not located following the accident. Federal Aviation Administration inspectors responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. The airplane crashed at the edge of an open field, about 4 1/2 miles from RUQ. The accident site coordinates were 35 37.05N, 080 26.63W. Evidence of electrical arcing was observed on the left wing leading edge. Power lines located about 20 yards from the main wreckage showed evidence of impact damage. The inspectorconfirmed substantial damage to the airframe. Flight control continuity was established from the cockpit controls to the ailerons, elevator, and rudder. The airplane was equipped with a recovery parachute and showed evidence of partial deployment. The plastic main fuel tank contained only residual fuel and was not damaged or leaking. Air bubbles were observed in the plastic fuel line from the fuel tank to the engine. There was no fuel in the line to the engine carburetors. A lack of fuel in the fuel line prevented the inspector from obtaining a fuel sample. There was no evidence of leaking fuel around wreckage. The engine propeller remained attached to the crankshaft flange. The blades showed no evidence of rotational damage or tip curling. The engine turned freely by hand and internal continuity was confirmed.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N710WP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N710WP), registered now, S/N 001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: KEUTHAN BUCCANEER II
- Registry model: [Keuthan BUCCANEER II](https://openairdocs.org/model/keuthan-buccaneer-ii) (registry code 05903DN) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 582DCDI](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582dcdi) (registry code 55562, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 001
- Engines: ROTAX 582DCDI 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cecil D Brown
- Registered owner: Cecil D Brown
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: RUQ, Salisbury, NC
- Destination: RUQ, Salisbury, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 18, 2012; toxicology performed; flight hours: 500 total, 445 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observed at: RUQ, 4 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 20120930021249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120930021249A), Sep 30, 2012: Keuthan BUCCANEER II, Granite Quarry, NC, Destroyed, 1 fatal. On September 30, 2012 at approximately 1755 EST. Experimental ultra-light aircraft, N710WP, experienced a forced landing in Granite Quarry, north carolina. The…

## Docket (16 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 31, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85168. 25.7 MB in all.

- NTSB Record of Conversation/FAA Inspector Statement (item 1, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386583&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Record%20of%20Conversation%2FFAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Witness Statements Provided by Rowan County NC Sheriff's Department (item 2, .PDF, 315 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386609&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements%20Provided%20by%20Rowan%20County%20NC%20Sheriff%27s%20Department-Redacted.PDF
- Toxicological Report (item 3, .PDF, 113 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386584&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report-Master.PDF
- Aircraft Weight and Balance Data (item 4, .PDF, 64 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386614&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aircraft%20Weight%20and%20Balance%20Data-Redacted.PDF
- Rotax 582 UL DCDI Fuel Consumption Chart (item 5, .PDF, 196 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40392121&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Rotax%20582%20UL%20DCDI%20Fuel%20Consumption%20Chart-Master.PDF
- Photo 1: Main Wreckage (FAA Digital Photo) (item 6, .PDF, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386586&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Main%20Wreckage%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2: Main Wreckage (FAA Digital Photo) (item 7, .PDF, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386587&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Main%20Wreckage%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-Master.PDF
- Photo 3: Right Wing with Power Lines in Background (FAA Digital Photo) (item 8, .PDF, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386588&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%3A%20Right%20Wing%20with%20Power%20Lines%20in%20Background%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-Master.PDF
- Photo 4: Damaged Power Line (FAA Digital Photo) (item 9, .PDF, 806 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386589&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%3A%20Damaged%20Power%20Line%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-Master.PDF
- Photo 5: Section of Damaged Power Line (FAA Digital Photo) (item 10, .PDF, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386590&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205%3A%20Section%20of%20Damaged%20Power%20Line%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-Master.PDF
- Photo 6: Braided Cable Witness Marks on Left Wing Leading Edge (FAA Digital Photo) (item 11, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386591&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%206%3A%20Braided%20Cable%20Witness%20Marks%20on%20Left%20Wing%20Leading%20Edge%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-Master.PDF
- Photo 7: Engine with Propeller Attached (FAA Digital Photo) (item 12, .PDF, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386593&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%207%3A%20Engine%20with%20Propeller%20Attached%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-Master.PDF
- Photo 8: Engine (FAA Digital Photo) (item 13, .PDF, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386595&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%208%3A%20Engine%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-Master.PDF
- Photo 9: Emergency Parachute Handle (FAA Digital Photo) (item 14, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386607&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%209%3A%20Emergency%20Parachute%20Handle%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-Master.PDF
- Photo 10: Partially Deployed Aircraft Parachute (FAA Digital Photo) (item 15, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386597&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2010%3A%20Partially%20Deployed%20Aircraft%20Parachute%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-Master.PDF
- Weather Reports and Records (item 16, .PDF, 357 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40392129&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-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.