# NTSB ERA16LA153: Butterhof Anthony J Ginny B, N349E, South Harrison Township, NJ, April 2, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 2, 2016, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: South Harrison Township, NJ - Coordinates: 39.688888, -75.256111 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6889&lon=-75.2561&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 6, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 92993 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA16LA153 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92993/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92993 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA153 ## Probable cause The pilot/mechanic's failure to safety-wire the gascolator bale clamp, which resulted in a fuel leak and subsequent total loss of engine power. ## 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 level (probable cause); cases with it: [Butterhof Anthony J GINNY B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=056204Y), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Owner/builder (probable cause); cases with it: [Butterhof Anthony J GINNY B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=056204Y), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Maintenance: installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035): Personnel issues › Task performance · Owner/builder (probable cause); cases with it: [Butterhof Anthony J GINNY B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md?model=056204Y), [All aircraft, 371 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel distribution](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Related maintenance info; cases with it: [Butterhof Anthony J GINNY B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md?model=056204Y), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/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 maintenance event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040); cases with it: [Butterhof Anthony J GINNY B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md?model=056204Y), [All aircraft, 484 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Butterhof Anthony J GINNY B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=056204Y), [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: [Butterhof Anthony J GINNY B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=056204Y), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The sport pilot/mechanic reported that the accident flight was the first flight in the experimental, amateur-built airplane after he installed an overhauled engine. About 30 minutes after takeoff, the engine experienced a sudden and total loss of power and would not restart. The pilot then conducted a forced landing to a grass field, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot and another mechanic subsequently performed a condition inspection of the airplane and found that fuel had leaked from the gascolator between the glass cup and metal frame. They also found that the gascolator bale clamp was not safety-wired, which allowed the clamp to loosen and subsequently relax the seal between the glass cup and the metal frame and the fuel to leak. ## Factual narrative On April 2, 2016, about 1530 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Ginny B, N349E, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in South Harrison Township, New Jersey. The pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight from Alloway Airfield (NJ02), Alloway, New Jersey. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.According to the pilot, who also held an airframe and powerplant (A&P) certificate, the flight was the first since he overhauled and installed a Continental O-200 engine. The pilot took off about 1500, and headed north from the airport. About 30 minutes later, the engine experienced a sudden and complete loss of power, and the pilot could not get it restarted. The pilot then completed a forced landing to a grassy field, where the airplane nosed over. The airplane's wing spar, vertical stabilizer, and right wing struts were substantially damaged. The pilot and another A&P rated mechanic subsequently performed a conditional inspection on the airplane, where they found that fuel had leaked from the gascolater between the glass cup and the metal frame. They also noted that the bale clamp was not safety-wired, which allowed it to loosen and relax the seal between the gascolator glass cup and its metal frame. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N349E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N349E-2019-10-04), registration cancelled 2019-10-04, S/N 001, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BUTTERHOF ANTHONY J GINNY B (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Butterhof Anthony J GINNY B](https://openairdocs.org/model/butterhof-anthony-j-ginny-b) (registry code 056204Y) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Subaru ALL MDLS A/B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/subaru-all-mdls-a-b) (registry code 59050, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Year built: 2006 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 10, 2015, 0 hours before - Departed: NJ02, Alloway, NJ - Destination: NJ02, Alloway, NJ - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 77; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review April 26, 2013; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 731 total, 200 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.46 inHg - Observed at: ILG, 10 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 20160402002619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160402002619A), Apr 2, 2016: Butterhof Anthony J GINNY B, South Harrison, NJ, Substantial damage. On 4 April 2016 at approximently 1953Z an experimental amateur built "Ginny B" aircraft, N349E made a forced landing in a wheat field in south harrision… ## Other investigations on N349E (1) 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. - [NTSB NYC06LA204](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06LA204), Aug 19, 2006: Butterhof Ginny B (N349E), Shiloh, NJ, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power due to overheating, for undetermined reasons. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 7, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92993. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454918&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum of Record (item 2, .PDF, 104 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454919&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record-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.