# NTSB ERA22LA174: Fpna A-22 Valor, N22LV, Mascotte, FL, March 29, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 29, 2022, 14:20 local (18:20 UTC) - Place: Mascotte, FL - Coordinates: 28.641667, -81.885 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.6417&lon=-81.8850&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 104872 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA174 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104872/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104872 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA174 ## Probable cause The pilot’s incorrect positioning of both wing fuel valves, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Fpna A-22 VALOR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=0600044), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel selector/shutoff valve](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Fpna A-22 VALOR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md?model=0600044), [All aircraft, 176 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Related operating info (probable cause); cases with it: [Fpna A-22 VALOR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=0600044), [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. - [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Fpna A-22 VALOR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=0600044), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Fpna A-22 VALOR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=0600044), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Fpna A-22 VALOR, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=0600044), [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: [Fpna A-22 VALOR, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=0600044), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Fpna A-22 VALOR, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0600044), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The experimental airplane was equipped with a 2.5-gallon header fuel tank, which allowed for about 20 minutes of flight. There was also a fuel tank in each wing that fed the header fuel tank, and each wing fuel tank had a respective fuel shutoff valve. The pilot stated that he recently purchased the airplane, and the fuel valve placards were confusing; however, he did not notice until after the accident that the fuel valve handles have on/off arrows embossed in them. While flying in the airport traffic pattern, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power and the pilot attempted to glide to a runway, but the airplane struck a fence just prior to the runway and came to rest inverted, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing and vertical stabilizer. The pilot added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane and he believed that he flew with the fuel valves in the off position. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N22LV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N22LV-2023-02-15), registration cancelled 2023-02-15, S/N 192, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: FPNA A-22 VALOR - Registry model: [Fpna A-22 VALOR](https://openairdocs.org/model/fpna-a-22-valor) (registry code 0590145) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912-series) (registry code 55569, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 192 - Year built: 2007 - Airframe hours: 1163 - Engines: Rotax 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, January 2, 2022, 66 hours before - Airport: 06FD, Grass Roots Airpark, runway 18, 3,400 × 120 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: sport pilot; last flight review July 19, 2020; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 6,000 total, 0.3 in this make and model, 0.3 in the last 90 days, 0.3 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.16 inHg - Observed at: LEE, 10 nm away - METAR: METAR KLEE 291853Z 01003KT 10SM CLR 29/13 A3016 ## 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 20220329003509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220329003509A), Mar 29, 2022: Fpna A-22 VALOR, Mascotte, FL, Substantial damage. Airplane was pre-flighted and took off without incident, as airman climbed out engine began to sputter and cough with an apparent loss of engine power.… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 26, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104872. 3.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13663243&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Interview summaries (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 114 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13663116&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Interview%20Summaries_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13663329&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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.