# NTSB ERA24LA159: Dta Voyager II 912S, N20330, Clermont, FL, March 30, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 30, 2024, 12:40 local (16:40 UTC) - Place: Clermont, FL - Coordinates: 28.547079, -81.768557 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.5471&lon=-81.7686&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 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): 194018 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA159 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194018/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194018 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA159 ## Probable cause Lack of lubrication of the No. 4 connecting rod bearing, which resulted in a total loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating): recip engine power section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Dta VOYAGER II 912S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520/cases.md?model=0590091), [All aircraft, 233 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520/cases.md) - [Fluids: oil](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Dta VOYAGER II 912S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md?model=0590091), [All aircraft, 174 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Dta VOYAGER II 912S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=0590091), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Dta VOYAGER II 912S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=0590091), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis While in cruise flight, the pilot of the weight-shift-control aircraft noticed that the oil pressure light was illuminated, the oil pressure gauge indicated zero, and the cylinder head temperature was rising shortly before the engine lost all power. He performed a forced landing to a field and landed hard, fracturing the wing. Examination of the engine revealed that there was no oil under the rocker covers or within the gearbox when removed. Additionally, there was no drivetrain continuity to the number 4 piston, which would not move when the propeller was manually rotated. The pilot did not respond to further attempts to coordinate a more detailed engine examination, and the engine was not further examined. Based on the available information, it is likely that the loss of engine power was the result of insufficient lubrication to the No. 4 connecting rod bearing. ## Factual narrative On March 30, 2024, about 1240 eastern daylight time, a DTA Voyager II weight-shift-control aircraft, N20330, was substantially damaged when it was in involved in an accident near Clermont, Florida. The pilot was seriously injured and the passenger was not injured. The aircraft was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, while in cruise flight at 700 feet above ground level, he noticed that the oil pressure light was illuminated, the oil pressure gauge indicated zero, and the cylinder head temperature was rising. He was aiming for an off-airport landing when the engine lost all power. He performed a forced landing in a field and landed hard, fracturing the wing. A postaccident examination of the engine was performed at the pilot’s residence. The chip detector was removed, and no metallic particles were observed. The bottom spark plugs were removed and were clean and clear. When rotated by hand, the propeller rotated about 90° before coming to a stop. Borescope examination of the cylinders revealed no anomalies of the piston faces, valves, or cylinder walls. When the propeller was rotated, the pistons of cylinder Nos. 1, 2, and 3 moved normally; however, piston No. 4 did not move. The rocker covers were removed, and no oil was present in any of the rocker covers. The gearbox was removed, and no oil was present in the gearbox. The oil pump was removed and was unremarkable. The pilot did not respond to subsequent attempts to schedule a more detailed examination of the engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N20330](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N20330), registered now, S/N (912S) N 223 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DTA VOYAGER II 912S - Registry model: [Dta VOYAGER II 912S](https://openairdocs.org/model/dta-voyager-ii-912s) (registry code 0590091) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Weight-shift - Serial number: (912S) N 223 - Airframe hours: 593 - Engines: Rotax 912S 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, December 1, 2023 - Departed: FA83, Zellwood, FL - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: serious; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 300 total, 11 in this make and model, 300 as pilot in command, 2.5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: ORL, 23 nm away - METAR: KORL 301653Z 18008KT 10SM FEW055 24/12 A3019 RMK AO2 SLP226 T02440122 ## 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 20240330003519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240330003519A), Mar 30, 2024: Dta VOYAGER II 912S, Clermont, FL, Substantial damage. Around 500FT AGL, the pilot observed the oil pressure light illuminated followed by a rise in indicated cylinder head temperature before experiencing a loss of… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 14, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194018. 5.3 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=17158783&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 129 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17215971&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memo%20for%20record-Pilot-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18112063&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photographs-Rel.pdf - Wreckage examination summary (item 4, PDF, 5 pages, 736 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17215981&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Wreckage%20Examination%20Summry-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 273 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17158793&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WRF_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� correspondence regarding follow-up engine examination (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 87 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17202893&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memo%20for%20record-Corresspondence-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.