# NTSB ERA24LA151: Palmetto Electronics X-AIR H, N3505W, Ellenboro, NC, March 4, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 4, 2024, 10:11 local (15:11 UTC) - Place: Ellenboro, NC - Coordinates: 35.289412, -81.784072 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2894&lon=-81.7841&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 193980 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA151 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193980/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193980 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA151 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to an inoperative ignition system. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Ignition system: magneto/distributor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Inoperative (probable cause); cases with it: [Palmetto Electronics X-AIR H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414/cases.md?model=05903ID), [All aircraft, 101 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Palmetto Electronics X-AIR H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05903ID), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Approach: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Palmetto Electronics X-AIR H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05903ID), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Palmetto Electronics X-AIR H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=05903ID), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the experimental amateur-built airplane departed with the intention of completing touch-and-go takeoffs and landings in the airport traffic pattern. While on the downwind leg of the pattern, when the pilot reduced engine power the engine lost total power. The pilot attempted to restart the engine, then initiated a forced landing to a field. The fuselage structure was substantially damaged during the landing. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that with power applied to the engine’s ignition system no spark was produced when the engine’s crankshaft was rotated. Based on this information system, it is likely that an ignition system fault resulted in the total loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On March 4, 2024, about 1011 eastern standard time, an experimental amateur-built X-Air H, N3505W, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Ellenboro, North Carolina. The student pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, he departed Twin Airpark (8NC2), Caroleen, North Carolina at 0830, destined for Rutherford County Airport (FQD) where he had planned to stop for fuel. After obtaining about 18 gallons of fuel at FQD, the pilot then returned to 8NC2 and completed one landing. He elected to depart 8NC2 again and took off to the north from runway 14 for more touch-and-go landing practice. When the pilot entered the downwind leg of the traffic pattern for runway 14 and reduced engine power; the engine subsequently lost total power. The pilot attempted to restart the engine with the electric fuel pump turned on and with the engine choked; however, the engine failed to restart. The pilot elected to make a forced landing in a field, which resulted in the nose landing gear collapsing and substantial damage to the fuselage at the left and right main landing gear mounting points. A postaccident engine examination revealed that the spark plugs displayed coloration consistent with normal engine operation. Compression and valvetrain movement was observed on all cylinders. Continuity of the crankshaft to the camshaft was confirmed. The oil filter was removed and inspected with no discrepancies noted. With the airplane battery on and ignition switch on, the engine was rotated by hand, but the ignition coil did not produce spark. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3505W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3505W), registered now, S/N 1138, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PALMETTO ELECTRONICS INC X-AIR H - Registry model: [Palmetto Electronics X-AIR H](https://openairdocs.org/model/palmetto-electronics-x-air-h) (registry code 05903ID) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Jabiru 2200](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jabiru-2200) (registry code 34800, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1138 - Year built: 2007 - Airframe hours: 388 - Engines: JABIRU 2200 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, March 8, 2023 - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: 8NC2, Twin Airpark, runway 14/32, 2,500 × 120 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Angle of attack indicator, Airframe parachute ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; student; medical: sport pilot; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 133.1 total, 72 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.24 inHg - Observed at: EHO, 9 nm away - METAR: METAR KEHO 041510Z AUTO 03005KT 10SM CLR 15/11 A3024 RMK AO2 T01450110= ## 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 20240304003829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240304003829A), Mar 4, 2024: Palmetto Electronics Inc X-AIR H, Ellenboro, NC, Substantial damage. On Monday, March 4, 2024, at approximately 1011 EST, ^,a Palmetto electronics model xair-h experimental light sport aircraft, was substantially damaged when it… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 2, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193980. 22.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 5.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17841245&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA24LA151%206120%20OUO_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 73 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17842542&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA24LA151%20Pilot%20MFR%20RE-Rel.pdf - Starting procedures (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17841255&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA24LA151%20Starting%20Procedures-Rel.pdf - Maintenance records (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 13.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17841725&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA24LA151%20Log%20Entry_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigative photos (item 5, PDF, 4 pages, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17841904&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA24LA151%20Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf - Mechanic wreckage examination summary (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17842020&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA24LA151%20Mechanic%20Summary_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 7, PDF, 2 pages, 103 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17842723&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA24LA151%20Retention-Release-of-Wreckage-Form_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. --- 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.