# NTSB FTW95LA141: Burken Ultimate, N122MB, New Braunfels, TX, March 10, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 10, 1995, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: New Braunfels, TX - Coordinates: 29.700664, -98.10984 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7007&lon=-98.1098&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 31, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19372 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA141 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19372/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA141 ## Probable cause THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL STARVATION DUE TO A FUEL LEAK RESULTING FROM A LOOSE FUEL LINE FITTING. 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) - mech failure/malf, descent - fuel system,line fitting - loose (cause) - fuel system,line fitting - leak (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTING A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB HE 'SMELLED FUEL, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE SOURCE.' AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES OF FLIGHT, THE ENGINE 'STOPPED' DURING THE DESCENT TO THE DESTINATION AIRPORT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING TO A FIELD APPROXIMATELY 1/2 MILE SHORT OF THE AIRPORT. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED A LOOSE FUEL LINE FITTING NEAR THE CARBURETOR. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL SPILLAGE AT THE ACCIDENT SITE. ## Factual narrative On March 10, 1995, approximately 1530 central standard time, a Burken Ultimate, N122MB, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near New Braunfels, Texas. The private pilot was not injured. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. The pilot stated that he departed a private airstrip near Zuhl, Texas, for a 7 minute flight to New Braunfels Municipal Airport (3R5), with approximately 10 gallons of fuel. The pilot reported to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that during the initial climb from the airstrip, he "smelled fuel," but could not determine the source. He continued the climb to 7,500 feet above ground level (AGL), and began a descent into his destination. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he "smelled fuel" during his approach to "the traffic pattern for runway 17." At approximately 3,500 feet AGL, the engine lost power. The pilot then executed a forced landing to a field approximately 1/2 mile short of the runway. On scene examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed a loose fuel line fitting near the carburetor. Additionally, the pilot reported a "loose fuel line fitting between the engine fuel pump and carburetor." The pilot reported in his written statement that his pre-flight inspection was "normal." The FAA inspector reported that he did not observe any evidence of fuel spillage at the accident site. The left wing was structurally damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N122MB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N122MB-2013-10-30), registration cancelled 2013-10-30, S/N 200-031, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BURKEN ULTIMATE - Registry model: [Burken Mark D ULTIMATE](https://openairdocs.org/model/burken-mark-d-ultimate) (registry code 05624V2) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 200-031 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Burken, Mark D. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 2, 1995, 9 hours before - Departed: NONE, ZUHL, TX - Destination: 3R5 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 253 total, 16 in this make and model, 22 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 15 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °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 19950310003839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950310003839A), Mar 10, 1995: Amtr ULTIMATE, New Braunfels, TX, Substantial damage. Lost power shortly after takeoff smelled fuel. Landed off airport. Loose fuel line fitting near carburetor. 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.