# NTSB FTW91LA083: Australite Aerobat FPP1, N117BT, Odessa, TX, May 18, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 18, 1991, 15:19 local (20:19 UTC)
- Place: Odessa, TX
- Coordinates: 31.799968, -102.470954 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8000&lon=-102.4710&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23335
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91LA083
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23335/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA083

## Probable cause

FUEL STARVATION AS A RESULT OF A CRACKED FUEL LINE INSIDE THE FUEL CELL. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - fuel system,line - cracked (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A PRIVATE PILOT WAS RETURNING TO LAND AFTER COMPLETING A PUBLIC AEROBATICS DEMONSTRATION AT AN AIR SHOW. WHILE ON BASE LEG, A POWER LOSS OCCURRED. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAKE THE RUNWAY, SO HE ELECTED TO CONTINUE ON HIS PRESENT HEADING AND LAND IN AN OPEN FIELD COVERED WITH SMALL MESQUITE TREES. A SUCCESSFUL LANDING WAS MADE, BUT WHILE ON THE LANDING ROLL THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED SEVERAL SMALL TREES. THE TAILBOOM BROKE TWO FEET BEHIND THE PROPELLER ARC LINE. THE FRONT CANOPY PLEXIGLASS WAS ALSO BROKEN. THE FUEL STARVATION TO THE ENGINE WAS CAUSED BY A CRACKED QUARTER INCH ALUMINUM FUEL LINE INSIDE THE FUEL CELL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N117BT (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AUSTRALITE AEROBAT FPP1 (AEROBAT FP)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Engines: ROTAX 583 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Australite, Inc.
- Registered owner: Australite, Inc.
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: E02, Odessa-Schlemeyer, runway 16, 5,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,000 total, 150 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19910518016369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910518016369A), May 18, 1991: Amtrlb AEROBAT, Odessa, TX, Substantial damage. Engine quit on base for landing. Struck trees on forced landing. Cracked aluminium fuel line in fuel tank.

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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