# NTSB ERA14LA059: Moffitt Oscar/ Kit Prostar A/C PT2, N355PT, Trenton, SC, December 2, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 2, 2013, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Trenton, SC - Coordinates: 33.736946, -81.818611 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7369&lon=-81.8186&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 19, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 88502 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14LA059 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88502/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88502 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA059 ## Probable cause The airplane owner/pilot ‘s failure to follow the gascolator manufacturer’s recommendations for installing and safety wiring the gascolator strainer bowl, which resulted in the bowl separating and a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system: fuel filter-strainer](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Moffitt Oscar/ Kit Prostar A/C PT2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821/cases.md?model=05624H4), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Moffitt Oscar/ Kit Prostar A/C PT2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=05624H4), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft inspection event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050); cases with it: [Moffitt Oscar/ Kit Prostar A/C PT2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md?model=05624H4), [All aircraft, 229 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Moffitt Oscar/ Kit Prostar A/C PT2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05624H4), [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: [Moffitt Oscar/ Kit Prostar A/C PT2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05624H4), [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: [Moffitt Oscar/ Kit Prostar A/C PT2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05624H4), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he was conducting a presale inspection of his experimental, amateur-built airplane. He ensured no debris was present in the gascolator and then conducted a test flight. During the test flight and while on final approach to land, the engine lost all power, and the pilot subsequently made a forced landing in a field. A postaccident examination of the gascolator revealed that the strainer bowl was not installed and safety wired in accordance with a service letter issued by the gascolator manufacturer. As a result, the gascolator strainer bowl became separated from the bail, which caused fuel starvation to the engine and total loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On December 2, 2013, about 1530 eastern standard time, an experimental, amateur-built, Prostar PT2, N355PT, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during a forced landing near Edgefield County Airport,Trenton, South Carolina. The private pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the private pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The flight departed from Twin Lakes Airport (S17), Graniteville, South Carolina at 1500.According to the pilot, he was conducting an inspection of his airplane in preparation of selling it. During the inspection he noted that the main fuel tank lines were old and brittle. He replaced the main fuel tank lines and drained the fuel system. While draining the fuel system, he discovered debris within the gasculator. He continued to drain the fuel system until debris was no longer present within the gasculator. He then checked the system for leaks. No leaks were noted and the pilot conducted a test flight. During the test flight, while on final approach to land, the engine lost all power and the pilot conducted a forced landing in a field. During the descent the airplane struck a tree before coming to rest at the base of the tree. A post-accident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed damage to both wings and the airframe. An examination of the engine conducted and valve train continuity and compression were observed on all cylinders. Further examination revealed that there was a hole in the number 1 cylinder valve cover. The cowling was against the valve cover and the screws were punctured through the valve cover. Examination of the ignition system revealed that the magnetos and leads were all intact. Due to external damage to the engine an engine run was not performed. Examination of the intake system revealed no blockage in the air box or carburetor venturi. The carburetor drain plug was removed and no fuel was observed in the carburetor. The fuel selector was moved to the "on" position to take a fuel sample from the gasculator and fuel was noted running freely from the gasculator . The fuel inlet line at the carburetor was removed; air was blown through it and no blockage was noted. Further examination of the gascolator revealed that between the thumb wheel and the gascolator bowl there was supposed to be an inverted bell that applied pressure to the bottom of the bowl; it was missing. There was no observable impact damage to the gascolator. The gascolator also contained a handmade gasket made from a cork material and there was no safety wire on the gascolator. The pilot stated to the FAA inspector that he believed that the gascolator was salvaged from a PA-28 airplane when his airplane was built. He went on to say that the gascolator always seemed to be loose, but the thumb wheel would notturn any more to tighten it further. Oil and dirt residue were found throughout the cowling. In the area were the gascolator was mounted the oil and dirt residue was gone and the cowling appeared clean. The gascolator was consistent with a Piper part number 63839-03 gascolator. A review of the Piper Service Letter 1141, dated April 11, 2011 was performed. The service letter called out a new procedure for safety wiring the bail assembly on the gascolator. The gasket that Piper required for this gascolator was made from rubber. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N355PT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N355PT-2014-12-10), registration cancelled 2014-12-10, S/N 1072, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MOFFITT OSCAR/ KIT PROSTAR A/C PT2 - Registry model: [Moffitt Oscar/ Kit Prostar A/C PT2](https://openairdocs.org/model/moffitt-oscar-kit-prostar-a-c-pt2) (registry code 05624H4) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1072 - Year built: 1994 - Airframe hours: 515 - Engines: Lycoming 4106-27 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Putt Larry F - Registered owner: Putt Larry F - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 10, 2013, 1 hours before - Departed: S17, GRANITEVILLE, SC - Destination: 6J6, Trenton, SC - Airport: 6J6, Edgefield County Airport - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 283.2 total, 11.5 in this make and model, 208.3 as pilot in command, 16.7 in the last 90 days, 8.1 in the last 30 days, 0.4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: DNL, 20 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 20131202023519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20131202023519A), Dec 2, 2013: Moffitt Oscar/ Kit Prostar A/C PT2, Trenton, SC, Substantial damage. Aircraft departed twin lakes airport (S17) for a short test flight to Edgefield County Airport (6J6). The engine quit running and pilot could not make it to… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 23, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88502. 888 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 365 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432066&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector’s Statement (item 2, .PDF, 134 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432068&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%E2%80%99s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Piper Service Letter 1141 (item 3, .PDF, 315 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432069&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Piper%20Service%20Letter%201141-Master.PDF - Photo 1 – View of fuselage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 13 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432143&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20fuselage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 – View of hanging gascolator (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 16 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432144&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20hanging%20gascolator%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)%0D%0A-Master.PDF - Photo 3- View of gascolator held in place (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 13 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432145&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203-%20View%20of%20gascolator%20held%20in%20place%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 4: View of gascolator with no safety wire (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 12 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432146&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%3A%20View%20of%20gascolator%20with%20no%20safety%20wire%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 5: View of main wreckage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 20 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432147&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205%3A%20View%20of%20main%20wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%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.