# NTSB FTW02LA220: Fleet 7 Deluxe, N790V, Canyon, TX, July 27, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 27, 2002, 11:20 local (16:20 UTC) - Place: Canyon, TX - Coordinates: 35.080554, -101.993331 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0806&lon=-101.9933&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 1, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administartion (FSDO) - NTSB case key (mKey): 55332 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW02LA220 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55332/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55332 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA220 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power as a result of the malfunction of the magneto switch. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - normal - ignition system,ignition switch - inoperative - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot performed a preflight inspection and engine run-up, which included a magneto check, prior to takeoff and found no anomalies with the airplane. He stated that the takeoff roll was approximately 600 feet before the airplane was airborne and the flight then climbed to 5,000 feet. He stated that the airplane was in cruise flight (smooth air) when the engine experienced a "sudden power loss." As the pilot pumped the throttle in attempts to restart the engine, he observed "raw gas" coming from the exhaust stacks. The pilot also attempted to restart the engine on different magneto positions, but was unsuccessful. Subsequently, a forced landing was executed to a field. Examination of the engine revealed that the ignition switch was inoperative. ## Factual narrative On July 27, 2002, at 1120 central daylight time, a Fleet 7 Deluxe experimental, single-engine airplane, N790V, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power near Canyon, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. The private pilot sustained serious injuries and his one passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from the Kelso Airport, Amarillo, Texas, at 1100. According to the pilot, he performed a preflight inspection and engine run-up, which included a magneto check, prior to takeoff and found no anomalies with the airplane. He stated that the takeoff roll was approximately 600 feet before the airplane was airborne and he then climbed to 5,000 feet. He stated that the flight was in cruise flight (smooth air) when the engine experienced a "sudden power loss." As the pilot pumped the throttle in attempts to restart the engine, he observed "raw gas" coming from the exhaust stacks. The pilot also attempted to restart the engine on different magneto switch positions, but was unsuccessful. Subsequently, a forced landing was executed to a field. During the forced landing, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. An FAA inspector, who examined the airplane at the accident site, reported that the firewall was displaced rearward through the cockpit, the fuselage was buckled, and the landing gear was separated. Examination of the 160-horsepower Kinner R-55 engine revealed that the ignition switch was inoperative. In the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that the magneto switch (A.C. Type 9) had malfunctioned. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N790V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N790V-2013-07-09), registration cancelled 2013-07-09, S/N 372, built 1930 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Fleet 7 Deluxe - Registry model: [Fleet 7 DELUXE](https://openairdocs.org/model/fleet-7-deluxe) (registry code 1461506) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Kinner R5 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/kinner-r5-series) (registry code 37504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 372 - Engines: Kinner R-55 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Harold S. Field - Last inspection: Annual, February 5, 2002 - Departed: 2TX0, Amarillo, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review September 27, 2001; seat: front; flight hours: 1,996 total, 490 in this make and model, 1,996 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 14 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: AMA, 10 nm away ## 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 20020727019519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020727019519A), Jul 27, 2002: Brwstr FLEET7DELUXE, Canyon, TX, Destroyed. (-23) On July 27, 2002, at approximately 10:49 CDT, local time, the pilot of a fleet model A-7 biplane aircraft, N790V, experienced engine failure. According… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 16, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55332. 600 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 517 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464646&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Witness Statement (item 2, .PDF, 83 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464647&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Master.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.