# NTSB IAD98LA077: Bennett Piel Emeraude, N86WB, Hillsville, VA, July 13, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 13, 1998, 16:45 local (20:45 UTC) - Place: Hillsville, VA - Coordinates: 36.759197, -80.729431 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7592&lon=-80.7294&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43181 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD98LA077 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43181/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD98LA077 ## Probable cause A blocked fuel strainer due to an inadequate maintenance inspection by the previous owner, which resulted in fuel starvation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - fuel system,strainer - blocked(total) (cause) - maintenance,annual inspection - not complied with, other person (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing - object - wire,transmission - terrain condition - none suitable ## Analysis The pilot reported he had just purchased the airplane and was flying to his home base. While in cruise flight, the pilot experienced surges of engine power between full and idle power. After the second decrease in engine RPM, the pilot selected a forced landing area. During the approach to a field the airplane's propeller struck a power line. After touchdown, the airplane continued approximately 300 to 400 feet before it struck a fence and several trees. An examination of the wreckage by an FAA Airworthiness Inspector revealed 'extreme' amounts of debris in the fuel strainer bowl. Examination of the maintenance records revealed an annual inspection had been recorded by an FAA certificated airframe and powerplant mechanic 4.5 aircraft hours prior to the accident. The previous owner revealed to the FAA Inspector that he had performed the inspection and forged the mechanic's signature in the maintenance logbook. ## Factual narrative On July 13, 1998, at 1645 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt Piel Emeraude, N86WB, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after a loss of engine power near Hillsville, Virginia. The certificated airline transport pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated at Elkin, North Carolina (ZEF), at 1615, destined for Clarksburg, West Virginia (CKB). A visual flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aviation Safety Inspector, the pilot reported he had just purchased the airplane and was flying it to his home base at CKB. In cruise flight at 3,500 feet, the pilot attempted to adjust the mixture and encountered increasing and decreasing engine power. According to the Inspector's report: "After readjusting the mixture to a full rich setting and applying full carburetor heat, the pilot stated that the engine speed recovered to 2400 RPM for a short time before decreasing again to approximately 800 RPM without any inputs to the throttle, mixture, or carburetor heat controls. [The] pilot stated that after the second decrease in engine RPM, he made a decision to find a suitable landing area." During the approach to a field the airplane's propeller struck a power line. After touchdown, the airplane continued approximately 300 to 400 feet before it struck a fence and several trees. Examination of the wreckage was conducted by an FAA Inspector at the site. Control continuity could not be established due to impact damage. According to the Inspector's report: "Initial examination of the aircraft engine revealed continuity of engine movement from the front of the crankshaft to the accessory drive and spark plugs in good condition...A fuel sample was obtained from the fuel strainer drain revealing large amounts of scale type debris. Upon removing the fuel strainer bowl, extreme amounts of scale type debris of a rust and dirt nature was discovered." In a telephone interview, the FAA Inspector said, "We pulled the fuel strainer and it looked like someone dumped their coffee grounds in there." In a written statement, the Inspector stated: "For N86WB, the last condition inspection recorded was performed on May 15, 1998, with 453 total airframe hours being reported at that time, 4.5 airframe hours prior to the accident. The inspection was performed by an FAA certificated airframe and powerplant (A & P) mechanic...the mechanic should have detected the fuel system contamination if he had indeed performed the inspection in accordance with the criteria of Title 14 CFR Part 43 Appendix D..." In a subsequent written statement, the Inspector stated: "[The previous owner] stated he performed the annual condition inspection but forged [an A & P mechanic's] signature because he does not possess a Repairman Certificate or an Airframe and Powerplant Certificate authorizing him to approve the aircraft for return to service." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N86WB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N86WB-2001-09-14), registration cancelled 2001-09-14, S/N 1418 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bennett PIEL EMERAUDE (PIEL EMERA) - Registry model: [Bennett William E PIEL EMERAUDE](https://openairdocs.org/model/bennett-william-e-piel-emeraude) (registry code 7020227) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1418 - Airframe hours: 453 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Claude G. Hess - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 1998, 4 hours before - Departed: ZEF, ELKIN MUNICIPAL, NC - Destination: CKB, CLARKSBURG, WV - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 17,500 total, 1 in this make and model, 16,000 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 11 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 79 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ROA, 50 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 19980713030809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980713030809A), Jul 13, 1998: Amtr EMERAUDE, Hillsville, VA, Substantial damage. (.19)On July 13, 1998, at 1645 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt piel Emeraude, N86WB, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after a loss of… 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.