# NTSB LAX01LA296: Funk C, N22694, Merced, CA, August 31, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 31, 2001, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Merced, CA - Coordinates: 37.349464, -120.420188 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3495&lon=-120.4202&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 28, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - ADs cited in the narratives: [AD 98-01-06](https://openairdocs.org/ad/98-01-06) (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB case key (mKey): 53155 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA296 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53155/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA296 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper modification of the airplane when he switched a nonvented fuel cap to the fuselage tank. A factor was the inadequate annual inspection. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - fuel system,cap - improper (cause) - maintenance,modification - improper, pilot in command (cause) - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - plowed/furrowed (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he had departed the Merced airport approximately 1400. He climbed upwind until reaching an indicated altitude of 700 feet, and then began a left turn to 210 degrees for an on-course heading to Frazier Lake. At this point, he began to feel a slight loss of engine power, followed by a slow reduction of engine power, which eventually reached a nearly wind milling condition. He pumped the throttle, but the engine did not respond. He attempted to return to the airport, but realized he was too far away to land on the runway. He landed in a plowed field, where the airplane nosed over. According to the pilot, the wing tanks were empty at the time of departure, and the only tank in use was the fuselage tank. He stated that a possible cause of the engine failure was the use of a nonvented fuel tank cap. A post accident examination of the engine revealed the only discrepancy was a nonvented fuel cap on the fuselage tank. As fuel was being drained from the tank through the carburetor the drain flow ceased. The fuselage fuel tank cap was removed, a vacuum sound was heard, and the drain flow began again. The pilot stated he had switched the fuselage fuel tank cap prior to the last annual inspection that occurred 6 months and 8 hours prior to this flight. ## Factual narrative On August 31, 2001, at 1400 hours Pacific daylight time, a Funk C, N22694, was substantially damaged when it landed in a field following a loss of engine power on takeoff from Merced, California. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight operated by the pilot under 14 CFR Part 91. The flight was originating to return to the home field, having flown to Merced for lunch. The pilot stated that he had departed the Merced airport approximately 1400. He climbed upwind until reaching an indicated altitude of 700 feet, and then began a left turn to 210 degrees for an on-course heading to Frazier Lake. At this point, he began to feel a slight loss of engine power, followed by a slow reduction of engine power, which eventually reached a nearly wind milling condition. He pumped the throttle, but the engine did not respond. He attempted to return to the airport, but realized he was too far away to land on the runway. He landed in a plowed field, where the airplane nosed over. According to the pilot, the wing tanks were empty at the time of departure, and the only tank in use was the fuselage tank. He stated that a possible cause of the engine failure was the use of a nonvented fuel tank cap. A post accident examination of the engine after the airplane was recovered to a maintenance facility indicated that the engine did not appear to be damaged. The engine compression was within the manufacturer's acceptable tolerances. The ignition system had no defects noted. The carburetor, throttle, and mixture controls inspection revealed that Airworthiness Directive 98-01-06 had been complied with, and a one piece venturi was installed in the carburetor. The drain plug was removed from the carburetor fuel bowl and fuel drained from the fuselage tank. It was noted that the fuel slowed down after approximately 2.5 gallons. The fuselage fuel tank cap was then removed with a vacuum sound heard while loosening the cap. After removing the cap, the fuel flowed freely again. The fuselage fuel tank was not vented, and a vented fuel cap was not installed. The pilot stated in his report that he had switched fuel caps prior to the last annual inspection that occurred 8 flight hours and 6 months prior to this flight, and did not record the change in the aircraft records. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N22694](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N22694), registered now, S/N 22, built 1939 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Funk Aircraft Co. C - Registry model: [Funk C](https://openairdocs.org/model/funk-c) (registry code 3720202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A80 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a80-series) (registry code 17006, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-C-1 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Peter D. Talbot - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 19, 2001, 8 hours before - Departed: MCE, Merced, CA - Destination: 1C9, Hollister, CA - Airport: MCE, Merced, runway 30, 5,903 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review November 9, 1999; seat: left; flight hours: 651 total, 501 in this make and model, 537 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: KMCE, 1 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 20010831023459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010831023459A), Aug 31, 2001: Funk FUNKC, Merced, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 31, 2001 at approximately 1400 local time (PDT), N22694, a 1939 Funkc, departed Merced airport off of rnwy 30. Shortly after take off, during… 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.