# NTSB LAX01LA012: Tolle Venture Model 20, N353, Madera, CA, October 12, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 12, 2000, 16:45 local (23:45 UTC) - Place: Madera, CA - Coordinates: 36.910568, -120.190429 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9106&lon=-120.1904&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 2, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50458 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA012 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50458/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA012 ## Probable cause The mechanical failure of a fuel sump tank check valve, during takeoff initial climb, that 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, takeoff - initial climb - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - fuel system,tank - blocked(partial) (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - pole ## Analysis Seconds after the pilot took off in his experimental airplane, the engine experienced a partial loss of power. The pilot made a forced landing on a rural road and collided with a pole during rollout. An examination of the airplane revealed that a check valve in its fuel sump tank was stuck in mostly the closed position. This malfunction resulted in engine fuel starvation. ## Factual narrative On October 12, 2000, about 1645 hours Pacific daylight time, a Tolle Venture Model 20 (homebuilt) airplane, N353, owned and operated by the pilot, experienced a loss of engine power seconds after takeoff from a road near Madera, California. The pilot made a forced landing on another rural road and collided with a pole during rollout. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the private pilot received a minor injury. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the personal flight, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was performed under 14 CFR Part 91. A responding sheriff's officer reported that the pilot had previously made a precautionary landing on Avenue 9 because of engine problems. The pilot believed that he had fixed the problem, and he took off. Seconds later, the engine again lost power. The officer additionally stated that the pilot landed on Avenue 10 and impacted the pole. The pilot subsequently reported that there was adequate fuel for flight on board his airplane. The left and right wing tanks contained 10 and 8 gallons of fuel, respectively. According to the pilot's report, adequate fuel for flight was prevented from reaching the engine due to a check valve in the fuel sump tank that was found stuck in a mostly closed position. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N353](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N353), registered now, S/N AT-7, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Tolle VENTURE MODEL 20 (VENTURE MO) - Registry model: [Tolle Alan E VENTURE MODEL 20](https://openairdocs.org/model/tolle-alan-e-venture-model-20) (registry code 056073Q) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-550 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-550-series) (registry code 17042, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: AT-7 - Airframe hours: 90 - Engines: Continental IO-550-N6B 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Alan E. Tolle - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 12, 2000, 90 hours before - Destination: MAE, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 8,700 total, 90 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 147 °F, dew point 122 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MAE, 4 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 20001012014749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20001012014749A), Oct 12, 2000: Amtr VENTURE20, Madera, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot reported that approx. one (1) or two (2) min after takeoff, the engine lost power. The fuel pressure was noted to be zero (0). The fuel boost pump… 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.