# NTSB ERA22LA270: Burrill Steven E A Plane, N51324, Middleboro, MA, June 11, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report
- Date: June 11, 2022, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Middleboro, MA
- Coordinates: 41.876025, -70.847467 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8760&lon=-70.8475&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: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- SAIBs cited in the narratives: [SAIB CE-09-35](https://openairdocs.org/saib/CE-09-35) (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 105270
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA270
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105270/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105270
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA270

## Probable cause

A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined.

## 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 · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Burrill Steven E A PLANE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=05619VQ), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/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: [Burrill Steven E A PLANE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05619VQ), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Burrill Steven E A PLANE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05619VQ), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Burrill Steven E A PLANE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05619VQ), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was departing for a local flight after a successful engine run-up when the accident occurred. He reported that while starting a left turn the engine rpm fluctuated before the engine lost all power. While flying slightly above the trees, the airplane stall/mushed and descended into the trees, coming to rest in a nose-low attitude. Examination of the fuel supply system and postaccident operational testing of the engine using the same fuel as the time of the accident revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. Although the airplane was operated at a low power setting shortly before takeoff in environmental conditions that were favorable for serious icing at glide power, the engine was developing near full power during the subsequent takeoff. The empty carburetor bowl found during the postaccident examination likely occurred because of fuel leakage after coming to rest. The reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available evidence.

## Factual narrative

On June 11, 2022, about 1500 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built A Plane, N51324, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Middleboro, Massachusetts. The private pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot stated that earlier that day he drained each wing fuel tank, added 6 gallons of fuel/oil equally divided into each wing fuel tank, and checked the vented fuel caps. He departed on an uneventful 15-minute flight and, after landing, added the remaining 2 gallons of fuel/oil. As part of his preflight check he did not find any water in the fuel tanks or from the lowest part of the fuel system, and reported a normal rpm drop during the check of the dual ignition system as part of his run-up. Prior to departure he performed a full-throttle pass on the runway with no discrepancies noted. He then taxied back to the departure end of the runway where he initiated the takeoff, noting that the engine rpm was at 6,300. After becoming airborne and at the start of a left turn, the engine began to “die out,” which he described as the engine rpm dropping to 4,000, increasing to 5,000, then decreasing to 3,000 before the engine completely lost power. At that time the airplane was 50 ft above the treetops. He glided but when the flight was 20 ft above the treetops the airplane dropped consistent with a stall/mush and descended into a tree. The airplane descended to the ground in a near-vertical, nose-low attitude that resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. He shut off the fuel before getting out of the airplane. Following recovery of the airplane, a sample of fuel taken from one of the fuel tanks contained drops of water, and the carburetor bowl was empty. There were no obstructions of the fuel supply system from each wing fuel tank to the fuel shut-off valve, which was installed about 1 ft from the in-line fuel filter. After installing a different propeller, the pilot plumbed a temporary fuel supply into the fuel filter inlet. Using the same fuel that was in the airplane’s fuel tanks at the time of the accident, the engine was started and ran using the manifold-driven pneumatic fuel pump to between 4,000 and 4,500 rpm (safety concerns prevented full-throttle application). Although a check of the dual ignition system was not performed during the postaccident engine run, the pilot reported no discrepancies. The temperature and dewpoint 8 minutes before the accident at an airport about 6 nm east-northeast from the accident site were 75°F and 50°F, respectively. A review of Federal Aviation Administration Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) CE-09-35, Carburetor Ice Prevention, revealed the environmental conditions about the time of the accident were favorable for serious icing at glide power.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51324](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N51324), registered now, S/N 4101, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BURRILL STEVEN E A PLANE (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Burrill Steven E A PLANE](https://openairdocs.org/model/burrill-steven-e-a-plane) (registry code 05619VQ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 4101
- Year built: 2006
- Airframe hours: 537
- Engines: Rotax 503 50 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Burrill Steven E
- Registered owner: Burrill Steven E
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, July 30, 2021, 2 hours before
- Airport: Fisher's Field, runway 35, 2,650 × 50 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; last flight review August 14, 2019; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 608 total, 608 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observed at: KPYM, 6 nm away
- METAR: METAR KPYM 111852Z AUTO 22007KT 10SM CLR 24/10 A2990 RMK AO2 SLP125 T02440100=

## 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 20220611013069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220611013069A), Jun 11, 2022: Burrill Steven E A PLANE, Middleboro, MA, Substantial damage. Summary of accident. On June 11 2020 approximately 1500 local time, took off from Middleboro field in his experimental airplane (affordaplane). Shortly after…

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 8, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105270. 14.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 10.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14172678&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_1%20Master%20Form%20Fm%20Web%204%206%202022%5B105%5D%20Recd%207%2015%202022_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Record of NTSB conversations (item 2, PDF, 12 pages, 4 photos, 750 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14188642&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20NTSB%20Conversations_12%20Pages_4%20Pics_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Weather reports and records (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 136 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14201214&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Wx%20Reports%20%26%20Records-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum for record - Rotax 503 engine RPM specifications (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 114 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14202938&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FINAL%20Memorandum%20For%20Record%20-Rotax%20Engine%20Specifications%20v02-Rel.pdf
- Investigative photographs (item 5, PDF, 5 pages, 5 photos, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14219045&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photographs-Rel.pdf
- Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 465 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14237235&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Wreckage%20Release%20Form_Fully%20Executed_ERA22LA270_Redacted-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.

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