# NTSB LAX02LA078: Robinette Ultra Pup, N2221X, Rio Vista, CA, February 2, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 2, 2002, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Rio Vista, CA - Coordinates: 38.18024, -121.729957 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1802&lon=-121.7300&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flt Stnds Dist Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 54120 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA078 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54120/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54120 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA078 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The experimental, amateur-built airplane landed off-airport following a total loss of engine power on climbout. The pilot reported that during the initial climb after a slow-flight, low pass down the 4,200-foot-long runway and while about 200 feet above ground level, the engine lost all power although the propeller continued to windmill. After the accident, there was about 9 gallons of 100-octane aviation fuel aboard. Earlier the same day he had flown a prior flight leg on the same tank of fuel. The pilot suspected that carburetor icing was the cause of the engine loss of power. The airplane was equipped with a Mosler converted automotive engine, and was equipped with carburetor heat. The carburetor heat control was in the "on" position when engine power was lost. A generic carburetor icing probability chart used by the Safety Board showed the ambient temperature and dew point conditions to have been within the region marked "serious icing - cruise or climb power." ## Factual narrative On February 2, 2002, at 1300 Pacific standard time, a Robinette Ultra Pup, N2221X, landed off-airport following total a loss of engine power on climbout from Rio Vista Municipal Airport, Rio Vista, California. The private certificated pilot and pilot-rated passenger were not injured. The experimental, amateur-built airplane was substantially damaged. The local area personal flight was operated by the owner under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that during the initial climb after a slow-flight, low pass down runway 25 (4,200feet long by 75 feet wide), while about 200 feet above ground level, the engine lost all power although the propeller continued to windmill. After the accident, there was about 9 gallons of 100-octane aviation fuel aboard. Earlier the same day he had flown from Concord, California, to Rio Vista on the same tank of fuel. The pilot suspected that carburetor icing was the cause of the engine loss of power. The airplane was equipped with a Mosler converted automotive engine, and was equipped with carburetor heat. The carburetor heat control was in the "on" position when engine power was lost. A generic carburetor icing probability chart used by the Safety Board showed the ambient temperature and dew point conditions to have been within the region marked "serious icing - cruise or climb power." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2221X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2221X-2004-01-23), registration cancelled 2004-01-23, S/N U.P.0062, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinette Ultra Pup - Registry model: [Robinette Richard Gordon ULTRA PUP](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinette-richard-gordon-ultra-pup) (registry code 05625JT) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: UP 0062 - Airframe hours: 169 - Engines: Mosler VW4 60 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gregg L. McCurdy - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, January 1, 2002, 12 hours before - Departed: O88, Rio Vista, CA - Airport: O88, Rio Vista, runway 25, 4,200 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review March 10, 2001; seat: rear; flight hours: 426 total, 8 in this make and model, 363 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: SAC, 25 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 20020202003279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020202003279A), Feb 2, 2002: Amtr ULTRAPUP, Rio Vista, CA, No damage. (-23) Engine quit on takeoff due to suspected carburetor icing. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 29, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54120. 291 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 291 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386863&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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. --- 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.