# NTSB LAX03LA171: Denis Cozy, N794WD, Kailua-Kona, HI, May 30, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 30, 2003, 09:07 local (19:07 UTC) - Place: Kailua-Kona, HI - Coordinates: 19.738611, -156.045562 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=19.7386&lon=-156.0456&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 December 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 57107 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03LA171 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57107/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA171 ## Probable cause A clogged fuel filter, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power during takeoff-initial climb. ## 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 - fuel system,filter - blocked(total) (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## Analysis Following a loss of engine power during takeoff, the private pilot attempted to make a 180-degree turn to land on the taxiway. Half-way through the turn, the airplane touched down at the end of the taxiway, and slid across lava rocks. Examination of the engine revealed that the fuel filter was clogged with soft material that looked like sand. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical anomalies noted with the airplane or engine prior to takeoff. ## Factual narrative On May 30, 2003, at 0907 Hawaiian standard time, an experimental Denis Cozy airplane, N794WD, lost engine power and impacted terrain at the Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA), Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. The private pilot operated the borrowed airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot and the private pilot/co-owner passenger were not injured. The personal local area flight departed KOA about 0905. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. The primary wreckage was at 19 degrees 44 minutes north latitude and 156 degrees 02 minutes west longitude. According to the pilot, after takeoff the engine lost power. He looked down at the fuel filter, which was physically located in the cockpit, and noted that it was clogged. The pilot attempted to turn the airplane 180 degrees to land on the taxiway. He indicated that 90 degrees into the turn the airplane landed at the end of the taxiway and onto a dried lava bed. The airplane's landing gear was sheared off after the airplane slid across lava rocks. The pilot stated that the airplane was refueled that morning, and prior to take off, the fuel filter was clear. After the accident he looked inside the fuel filter and noted that the substance was a soft material that looked like sand. The pilot stated there were no unresolved mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, when he inspected the engine he noted that the fuel filter was clogged with a foreign substance. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N794WD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N794WD-2013-06-07), registration cancelled 2013-06-07, S/N 22, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Denis Cozy - Registry model: [Denis Wiliam A JR COZY](https://openairdocs.org/model/denis-wiliam-a-jr-cozy) (registry code 05625SP) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 22 - Airframe hours: 152.5 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: John Totah - Registered owner: William and Bronwyn Denis - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 24, 2003, 1 hours before - Departed: KOA, Kailua-Kona, HI - Destination: KOA, Kailua-Kona, HI - Airport: KOA, Keahole-Kona International ## 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; seat: right; flight hours: 3,000 total, 155 in this make and model, 8 in the last 30 days - Other flight crew; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 550 total, 152 in this make and model, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KOA ## 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 20030530013199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030530013199A), May 30, 2003: Denisw COZY, Kailua-Kona, HI, Destroyed. (-23) The pilot stated that shortly after takeoff and during the climb his engine abruptly quit. He was able to land on the remaining runway; but exited off to… 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.