# NTSB FTW92LA076: Avions Fairey T-66, N621X, Mineral Wells, TX, February 29, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 29, 1992, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Mineral Wells, TX
- Coordinates: 32.819175, -98.070457 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8192&lon=-98.0705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18448
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18448/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA076

## Probable cause

FUEL STARVATION DUE TO A CONTAMINATED FUEL FILTER. A FACTOR WAS THE SOFT TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel system,filter - contamination (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear - collapsed
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS ON ITS FIRST FLIGHT AFTER BEING STORED FOR SEVERAL YEARS. WHILE PROCEEDING TOWARD THE AIRPORT AFTER A LOCAL AREA FLIGHT, A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER OCCURRED. THE AIRPLANE WAS FORCED TO LAND AT A PRACTICE FOOTBALL FIELD APPROXIMATELY THREE MILES FROM THE AIRPORT. DURING THE LANDING ROLL ON SOFT GROUND THE LANDING GEAR DUG IN, THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED, AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER ONTO ITS BACK. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE'S FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED A BLOCKED FUEL FILTER. THE MATERIAL IN THE FUEL FILTER WAS DETERMINED TO BE ORGANIC. THE NEW AIRPLANE OWNER REPORTED THAT AN UNKNOWN PRESERVATIVE HAD BEEN USED IN THE AIRPLANE DURING THE STORAGE PERIOD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N621X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N621X), registered now, S/N 46 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AVIONS FAIREY T-66
- Registry model: [Avions Fairey TIPSY NIPPER T-66](https://openairdocs.org/model/avions-fairey-tipsy-nipper-t-66) (registry code 0941012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 46
- Airframe hours: 289
- Engines: STARK STAMO 1400A 45 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kessler, David K.
- Registered owner: Kessler, David K.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000, 16 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,700 total, 1 in this make and model, 1,500 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MWL, 3 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 19920229007939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920229007939A), Feb 29, 1992: Amtr T66, Mineral Wells, TX, Substantial damage. Took experimental T66 out of long storage. Engine quit on first flight. Found fuel filter clogged by preservative.

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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