# NTSB ERA22LA313: Whittridge Twinstarr, N298RW, Indian Trail, NC, June 11, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 11, 2022, 15:40 local (19:40 UTC) - Place: Indian Trail, NC - Coordinates: 35.12097, -80.585479 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1210&lon=-80.5855&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: 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 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 105479 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA313 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105479/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105479 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA313 ## Probable cause A blockage of the fuel filter inlet by a piece of debris, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system: fuel filter-strainer](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Whittridge Richard D TWINSTARR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821/cases.md?model=05621MT), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Whittridge Richard D TWINSTARR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=05621MT), [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. - [Takeoff: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193); cases with it: [Whittridge Richard D TWINSTARR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md?model=05621MT), [All aircraft, 225 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Whittridge Richard D TWINSTARR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=05621MT), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was taking the gyroplane on a short test flight. After adding fuel, the pilot ran the engine multiple times on the ground and completed multiple taxi tests to check the brakes and steering mechanism. The pilot was satisfied that everything was functional and decided to attempt a flight in the airport traffic pattern. Shortly after takeoff the engine lost power. The pilot attempted to return to the airport, but the gyroplane impacted powerlines and the ground, resulting in substantial damage. During a postaccident examination of the wreckage, the pilot found that there was a large piece of debris obstructing a majority of the fuel filter inlet. Another large piece of debris was observed in the fuel tank. All the debris found were consistent in color and texture with silicone sealant used on the fuel quantity sending unit. Based on this information, it is likely that the sealant debris found in the fuel filter inlet obstructed the flow of fuel to the engine and resulted in the total loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On June 11, 2022, at 1540 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Twinstarr gyroplane, N298RW, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Indian Trail, North Carolina. The private pilot received minor injuries. The gyroplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that the gyroplane belonged to a friend who had recently purchased it. As the gyroplane’s new owner did not have any experience in a gyroplane, the pilot was going to “check over the machine and possibly do a short test flight to insure everything was functional and safe,” before the owner began training in the gyroplane. The pilot reported running the engine multiple times on the ground and completing multiple taxi tests to check the brakes and steering mechanism. The pilot was satisfied that everything appeared functional, and the gyroplane was safe to attempt a flight. He planned to take off, climb to traffic pattern altitude, fly a traffic pattern, and land. The pilot reported (and a video of the takeoff taken by a witness confirmed) that shortly after takeoff the engine sustained a total loss of engine power. The pilot attempted to return to the airport but was unsuccessful. The gyroplane struck powerlines and subsequently impacted the ground, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, tail section, and main rotor. The pilot reported that before the flight he had added 5 gallons of fuel for a total amount of fuel onboard of 10 gallons. He reported that the fuel pump was “running,” and the magnetos were in the on position when the loss of power occurred. Three days after the accident the pilot returned to the wreckage to check the fuel system and found a large piece of debris blocking a majority of the fuel filter inlet (see figure). Another larger piece of debris that was similar in color and texture was found in the fuel tank underneath the fuel quantity sending unit. Photographs showed that the large piece of debris in the fuel tank and the piece of debris found in the fuel filter inlet appeared consistent with silicone sealant residue found on the fuel quantity sending unit. Figure. Photograph from the pilot of foreign debris blocking a majority of the fuel filter inlet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N298RW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N298RW), registered now, S/N TS97015, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Whittridge Twinstarr (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Whittridge Richard D TWINSTARR](https://openairdocs.org/model/whittridge-richard-d-twinstarr) (registry code 05621MT) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-series) (registry code 42389, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: TS97015 - Year built: 2006 - Airframe hours: 287 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Airport: 28A, Goose Creek, runway 22, 2,350 × 35 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 15, 2021; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,078 total, 0.3 in this make and model, 1,078 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: EQY, 7 nm away - METAR: METAR KEQY 111953Z AUTO 18003KT 10SM FEW046 FEW070 FEW110 29/18 A2986 RMK AO2 SLP110 T02890178= ## 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 20220611010329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220611010329A), Jun 11, 2022: Whittridge Richard D TWINSTARR, Indian Trail, NC, Substantial damage. Gyro plane was just purchased and pilot decided to test fly. According to the pilots statements, after lift off the aircraft lost power and crashed into… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 15, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105479. 71.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15300132&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120_N298RW_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot statement (item 2, PDF, 5 pages, 8.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15300646&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FINAL%20Record%20of%20Convo%20w%20Ronald%20Awad%206%2013%202022%20v02%20w%20Corrctns_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Witness video (item 3, MOV, 59.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15763243&FileExtension=MOV&FileName=IMG_8581-Rel.MOV - Investigative photographs (item 4, PDF, 4 pages, 819 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15300449&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photographs%20-%20ERA22LA313-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.