# NTSB GAA16CA497: Cirrus Design SR20, N204AK, Brunswick, GA, August 22, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 22, 2016, 09:11 local (13:11 UTC)
- Place: Brunswick, GA
- Coordinates: 31.154167, -81.392219 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1542&lon=-81.3922&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 6, 2017
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 94055
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA497
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94055/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94055
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA497

## Probable cause

The total loss of engine power during takeoff due to a loose B-nut on the fuel flow divider input fuel line fitting, which resulted in a fuel leak and fuel starvation.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Engine fuel and control: fuel divider](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057324): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR20, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057324/cases.md?model=2130000), [All aircraft, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057324/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Prior to flight: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR20, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2130000), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) (defining event); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR20, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=2130000), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR20, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=2130000), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR20, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2130000), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR20, 39 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2130000), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that after takeoff, and about 150 feet above the runway, the engine had a total loss of power. He further reported that a clear liquid sprayed from the upper cowling onto the windscreen. He aborted the takeoff, landed on the runway remaining, but was unable to stop prior to the end of the runway. The airplane skidded off the runway and impacted the airport perimeter fence, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings. During a postaccident examination, the cowling was removed, the electric fuel pump was actuated, and fuel was observed leaking from the fuel input line fitting at the fuel flow divider. After further examination, it was revealed that the torque strip had been disturbed and the fuel line B-nut was found to be loose. After the B-nut was tightened, no fuel leaks were observed. A review of the airplane's engine maintenance log revealed that no recent maintenance had been performed involving the fuel pump, fuel flow divider, or associated fuel lines.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that after takeoff, and about 150 feet above the runway, the engine had a total loss of power. He further reported that a clear liquid sprayed from the upper cowling onto the windscreen. He aborted the takeoff, landed on the runway remaining, but was unable to stop prior to the end of the runway. The airplane skidded off the runway and impacted the airport perimeter fence, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings. During a postaccident examination, the cowling was removed, the electric fuel pump was actuated, and fuel was observed leaking from the fuel input line fitting at the fuel flow divider. After further examination, it was revealed that the torque strip had been disturbed and the fuel line B-Nut was found to be loose. After the B-Nut was tightened, no fuel leaks were observed. A review of the airplane's engine maintenance log revealed that no recent maintenance had been performed involving the fuel pump, fuel flow divider, or associated fuel lines.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N204AK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N204AK-2019-09-06), registration cancelled 2019-09-06, S/N 1120, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR20 (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Cirrus Design SR20](https://openairdocs.org/model/cirrus-design-sr20) (registry code 2130000) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1120
- Year built: 2001
- Airframe hours: 1183.9
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-ES 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Copy Right Express LLC.
- Registered owner: Copy Right Express LLC.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 3, 2016
- Departed: SSI, Brunswick, GA
- Destination: TMB, MIAMI, FL
- Airport: SSI, Mckinnon St Simons Island, runway 22, 5,584 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Stall warning system, Airframe parachute, Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 10, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 835 total, 760 in this make and model, 740 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observed at: KSSI

## 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 20160822014339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160822014339A), Aug 22, 2016: Cirrus Design Corp SR20, Brunswick, GA, Substantial damage. Aircraft departed runway 22 at st Simons Mckinnon airport and had a standard rate of climb at 90KTS and climbed to approximately 150 and the engine stopped.…

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 3, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94055. 1.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 778 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447929&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Inspector's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 164 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447930&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Maintenance Records (item 3, .PDF, 158 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447931&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Records-Master.PDF
- Record of Phone Conversation (Mechanic) (item 4, .PDF, 191 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447932&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Phone%20Conversation%20(Mechanic)-Master.PDF
- Damage Statement (item 5, .PDF, 30 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447933&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Damage%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 2 photos, 225 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447934&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.

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