# NTSB ERA17LA334: Mcmillan Joel L Avid SW 65, N65SW, Darlington, SC, September 24, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 24, 2017, 14:10 local (18:10 UTC) - Place: Darlington, SC - Coordinates: 34.417499, -79.931388 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4175&lon=-79.9314&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report April 8, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 96065 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA17LA334 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96065/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96065 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA334 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of a clogged fuel filter. ## 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 condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Mcmillan Joel L AVID SW 65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=05616BC), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/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 contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) (defining event); cases with it: [Mcmillan Joel L AVID SW 65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md?model=05616BC), [All aircraft, 225 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191); cases with it: [Mcmillan Joel L AVID SW 65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=05616BC), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Mcmillan Joel L AVID SW 65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05616BC), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Mcmillan Joel L AVID SW 65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=05616BC), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Mcmillan Joel L AVID SW 65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05616BC), [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: [Mcmillan Joel L AVID SW 65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05616BC), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis During initial climb in the experimental, amateur-built airplane, the engine lost total power. The private pilot switched fuel tanks, but the engine did not regain power. The pilot then intentionally slowed and stalled the airplane just above trees; it collided with the trees and ground, coming to rest inverted. The fuel tanks were constructed of fiberglass. Examination of the wreckage revealed that fuel was leaking from the right wing; however, the fuel filter was clogged with dirt and fiberglass. Although it could not be definitively determined how much fuel was on board, it is likely that the clogged fuel filter starved the engine of fuel, which resulted in the loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On September 24, 2017, about 1410 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Avid SW 65, N65SW, operated by the private pilot, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, following a total loss of engine power during initial climb from a private airstrip near Darlington, South Carolina. The private pilot was seriously injured. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight that originated from Lumberton Regional Airport (LBT), Lumberton, North Carolina, about 1315.The pilot reported that he had planned on landing at an approximate 700-foot turf runway used by a radio-controlled airplane club. In preparation for the landing, he performed a low-pass to examine the runway condition and check for any obstacles. Following the low pass, he initiated a left climbing turn, during which the engine lost all power. The pilot switched fuel tanks, but the engine did not regain power. The pilot then intentionally slowed and stalled the airplane just above trees and it collided with the trees and ground, coming to rest inverted. The pilot further stated that the fuel tanks were constructed of fiberglass and he used automotive gasoline in the airplane. Initial examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the right wing had separated during impact and fuel had leaked from the right wing into the ground. The left wing remained attached to the fuselage and both were also substantially damaged. Subsequent examination of the wreckage by the pilot revealed that the fuel filter was clogged with dirt and fiberglass. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N65SW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N65SW-2020-07-10), registration cancelled 2020-07-10, S/N 367 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MCMILLAN JOEL L AVID SW 65 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Mcmillan Joel L AVID SW 65](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcmillan-joel-l-avid-sw-65) (registry code 05616BC) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 367 - Year built: 1990 - Engines: Rotax 532 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: LBT, Lumberton, NC - Destination: PVT, Darlington, SC - Airport: PVT, None, runway 30, 700 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; flight hours: 5,000 total, 999,999 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: UDG, 3 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 20170924011349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170924011349A), Sep 24, 2017: Mcmillan Joel L AVID SW 65, Darlington, SC, Substantial damage. The accident occurred at a private airport in Darlington, SC airport known as hicks field. The pilot made a low pass over the 700 foot runway to evaluate the… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 10, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96065. 529 KB in all. - Interview Summaries (item 1, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469165&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Summaries-Master.PDF - Map of Accident Site (item 2, .PDF, 215 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469155&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Map%20of%20Accident%20Site-Master.PDF - Photo (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 245 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469156&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.