# NTSB ERA16LA120: Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro Sportcruiser, N187SF, Atlanta, GA, February 28, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 28, 2016, 13:37 local (18:37 UTC) - Place: Atlanta, GA - Coordinates: 33.875556, -84.30194 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8756&lon=-84.3019&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 October 23, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO, BMVIT, Rotech Flight Safety / Rotax Aircraft Engines - NTSB case key (mKey): 92785 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA16LA120 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92785/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92785 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA120 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to fuel vapor lock. Contributing to the accident was the absence of a fuel return line. ## 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: [Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=060002O), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) - [Misc hardware](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071400): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Not installed/available (probable cause); cases with it: [Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071400/cases.md?model=060002O), [All aircraft, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071400/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=060002O), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/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: [Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=060002O), [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: [Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=060002O), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot said he performed a preflight inspection of the airplane and let the engine warm up to normal operating temperature before he taxied to the runway and performed a normal run-up of the engine. During takeoff, the engine lost power. The pilot attempted to return and land on the reciprocal runway but landed about 300 ft southeast of the runway on grass. The landing gear collapsed during the landing, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. Engine performance data downloaded from the airplane's onboard electronic display revealed that the fuel flow to the engine was interrupted shortly before the end of the flight. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation, and during a test run of the engine on the airframe, it ran continuously for several minutes without hesitation. Examination of the fuel system revealed that no fuel return line (or fuel restriction line) had been installed, which was not in accordance with the engine manufacturer's installation instructions. The engine installation manual stated that the purpose of the fuel return line was to prevent the formation of fuel vapor lock. It is likely that the absence of the fuel return line resulted in the engine losing power due to fuel vapor lock. ## Factual narrative On February 28, 2016, at 1337 eastern standard time, N187SF, Czech Aircraft Works SPOL SRO - SportsCruiser, made a forced landing after a total loss of engine power while on takeoff from DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK), Atlanta, Georgia. The airplane sustained substantial damage, but the private pilot/owner was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed for the flight that was being conducted as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that this was his first flight of the day. He conducted a thorough preflight inspection of the airplane before he started the engine. He then let the engine warm up to normal operating temperature before taxing to the runway. The pilot said he performed an engine run-up and everything was normal. Both fuel tanks were full with about 15 gallons of auto-gas, and the fuel selector was on the left tank. The fuel pump was "on." During the takeoff from runway 21R, the engine lost power. He switched fuel tanks, but the engine did not re-start. The pilot declared an emergency and attempted to land on runway 3R, but landed about 300 ft southeast of the runway on grass. The landing gear collapsed on landing and the airplane slid and spun 180° before it came to rest. The airplane was equipped with a Dynon Skyview display. Engine performance data downloaded from the unit revealed an interruption in fuel flow to the engine during the short flight, about 12.5 minutes after the data recording began, and about 2 minutes before the data recording ceased. A postaccident examination of the airplane and engine revealed the fuselage, both wings, the firewall, and an engine mount were substantially damaged. The Rotax 912 ULS engine remained attached to the airframe and two of the three propeller blades were broken off at the hub. Both carburetors were displaced from their respective sockets and the gascolator bowl was shifted from its mounting bracket. The float bowls were removed from each carburetor and inspected. A small amount of fuel was observed in each bowl along with a small amount of contamination that was consistent with a small particle of fuel line. No mechanical anomalies were noted with either carburetor and the float bowls were re-installed on the engine. The spark plugs were removed from the engine and a continuity and compression check were completed via manual rotation of the propeller. No mechanical issues were noted. The engine was then prepped to be test run, which involved cutting the remaining propeller blade and removing the fuel pump inlet line from the firewall and placing it in a fuel container with fresh fuel. The engine was started and run to 5,700 RPM (5,800 RPM was max). Fuel pressure was 5.8 PSI, which is in the normal pressure range. The engine ran continuously for several minutes without hesitation. No mechanical deficiencies were observed with theengine that would have precluded normal operation at the time of impact. Examination of the airplane's fuel system revealed that the airplane did not have a mandatory fuel return line installed as per the Rotax 912ULS installation instructions. The fuel return line was made mandatory via an amendment to the installation manual on August 1, 2012. The manual stated on page 3, section 73-00-00, subsection 1.1) Description of system – Return Line, "NOTE: The return line prevents malfunctions caused by the formation of vapor lock." Additionally, page 6, Section 73-00-00, subsection 1.3 of the manual stated, "Requirements of the fuel system – Fuel return line, NOTICE: The installation of a fuel return line is mandatory. If the fuel distributor piece with regulator from Rotax is not available, the fuel pressure must be regulated by a restriction in the fuel return line, which ensures that the fuel pressure is under all operation condition within the operating limits specified by Rotax." No fuel return line or restrictor regulator was installed on this airplane as per the Rotax installation instructions. The accident engine was manufactured in January 2012 and was not the original engine installed on the airplane. A review of maintenance logs revealed the engine was installed on the accident airplane by a repair station in December 2013. The pilot/owner purchased the airplane with the new Rotax 912ULS engine already installed in 2014. He was unaware that the mandatory fuel return line was not installed. The Airframe Maintenance Manual (AMM) depicted the airplane's fuel system design layout with a fuel return line installed. However, the accident airplane was manufactured in 2008 and based on the information provided by the airframe manufacturer, no Czech SportCruiser airplane manufactured prior to 2010 had a fuel return line installed. The fuel line was only made mandatory by the engine manufacturer, Rotax, if their Rotax 912ULS engine was installed after August 1, 2012. The airframe manufacturer made the fuel return line standard in September 2010 as the design modification no. S - K - 0084 and a change to the AMM Revision 6, for the SportCruiser in January 2011. According to the airframe manufacturer, 94 airplanes were manufactured for the US market without a fuel return line. Prior to the design modification, there were no reports of any engine problems or shutdowns. The pilot held a private pilot certificate for airplane single-engine land and instrument airplane. His last FAA third-class medical was issued on July 24, 2014. The pilot reported a total of 1,117 flight hours, of which, 56 hours were in the same make/model as the accident airplane. At 1255, the weather reported at the airport was visibility 10 miles, wind 210° at 10 knots gusting to 20 knots, and clear skies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N187SF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N187SF-2018-04-20), registration cancelled 2018-04-20, S/N 08SC190, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CZECH AIRCRAFT WORKS SPOL SRO SPORTCRUISER (A) - Registry model: [Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER](https://openairdocs.org/model/czech-aircraft-works-spol-sro-sportcruiser) (registry code 060002O) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 08SC190 - Year built: 2008 - Airframe hours: 1935 - Engines: Rotax 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 14, 2016, 15 hours before - Departed: PDK, Atlanta, GA - Destination: PDK, Atlanta, GA - Airport: PDK, Dekalb-Peachtree, runway 21R, 3,746 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Data recorder, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; sport pilot, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 15, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,117 total, 56 in this make and model, 1,033 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 10 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: PDK, 1 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 20160228023629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160228023629A), Feb 28, 2016: Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER, Atlanta, GA, Substantial damage. Aircraft N187SF took off from runway 2L then experienced a sudden loss of power on take off. The pilot attempted an emergency return to the airport downwind on… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 3, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92785. 5.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454760&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Summary of Record - Sandy Asman (item 2, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454761&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Summary%20of%20Record%20-%20Sandy%20Asman-Master.PDF - Photos (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 721 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454762&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-Master.PDF - Maintenance Records (item 4, .PDF, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454763&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Records-Master.PDF - Dynon Skyview Plot (item 5, .PDF, 75 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454764&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Dynon%20Skyview%20Plot-Master.PDF - Rotax Engine Investigation Report (item 6, .PDF, 11 photos, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454765&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Rotax%20Engine%20Investigation%20Report-Master.PDF - Summary of Record - Czech Gov't and Czech Sport Aircraft (item 7, .PDF, 69 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454766&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Summary%20of%20Record%20-%20Czech%20Gov%27t%20and%20Czech%20Sport%20Aircraft-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.