# NTSB LAX07LA253: Edra Aeronautica Seastar, N559AW, Kapolei, HI, August 25, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 25, 2007, 09:50 local (19:50 UTC) - Place: Kapolei, HI - Coordinates: 21.307222, -158.070281 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.3072&lon=-158.0703&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 March 31, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 66540 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07LA253 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66540/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07LA253 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation that resulted from the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation and failure to ensure that an adequate fuel supply was onboard the aircraft. ## 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) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - uncontrolled - Hard landing, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis The flight was to be the airplane's first flight since completion. The pilot/builder reported that the departure roll was smooth and the controls felt normal. As the airplane reached about 30 feet above ground level (agl), the engine experienced a loss of power. The pilot configured the airplane in a nose-low attitude in an effort to prevent a stall. The airplane landed hard on the left main landing gear, which subsequently collapsed. The airplane skidded off the left side of the runway. The pilot stated that the wing fuel tanks were empty during departure, and that he had 6 gallons in the interior fuselage header fuel tank. The kit manufacturer advised that flight with the airplane in such a fuel system configuration is allowable. Following the accident, an FAA inspector examined the airplane and upon disassembly of the carburetor, found only a small amount of water (several drops) and trace amounts of fuel in the bowl. When fuel was plumbed to the engine, it was started and run with no anomalies noted. The inspector opined that the pilot failed to have an adequate supply of fuel onboard the airplane during departure, resulting in a fuel starvation event. ## Factual narrative On August 25, 2007, about 0950 Hawaiian standard time, an Edra Aeronautica Seastar experimental light sport airplane (LSA), N559AW, experienced a loss of power and collided with terrain during the initial climb from Kalaeloa Airport (John Rogers Field), Kapolei, Hawaii. The pilot/builder was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The sport pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal local flight was originating from Kapolei at the time of the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. In both a written statement and telephone interviews, the pilot reported that the accident flight was to be the airplane's first flight (maiden voyage). The departure roll was smooth and the controls felt normal. As the airplane reached about 30 feet above ground level (agl), the engine experienced a loss of power. The pilot configured the airplane in a nose-low attitude in an effort to prevent a stall. The airplane landed hard on the left main landing gear, which subsequently collapsed. The airplane skidded off the left side of the runway, incurring damage to the left wing spar. Following the accident, the wreckage was examined by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector. He stated that the pilot reported that the wing fuel tanks were empty during departure, with 6 gallons contained in the interior fuselage fuel (header) tank. The inspector reported that the manufacturer of the kit from which the pilot built the airplane advises that flight with the airplane in such a configuration is allowable. Upon disassembly of the carburetor, the FAA inspector found a small amount of water (several drops) with some fuel in the bowl. The airplane's wings were repaired and reinstalled in attempt to perform an engine run. The FAA inspector reported that the engine started normally with no difficulties noted. The engine sustained both idle and accelerated power settings with ease. He opined that the pilot failed to have an adequate supply of fuel onboard the airplane during departure, resulting in fuel starvation. The FAA inspector noted that the airplane's manual does not prescribe a minimum amount of fuel that should be on board, nor is there a minimum fuel requirement in the wing tanks. The wing fuel tanks have a capacity of 7 gallons each side, with the fuselage tank's capacity around 10.5 gallons. An electric fuel pump is utilized to draw fuel from the fuselage tank to the engine, however, the wing tanks are designed for fuel to be gravity fed to the fuselage tank. The FAA inspector thought it was possible during takeoff (nose-high attitude) for the fuel to flow from the fuselage tank to the wing tanks, resulting in a fuel starvation event. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N559AW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N559AW), registered now, S/N S0169, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: EDRA Aeronautica Seastar - Registry model: [Wehmer Alan R SEASTAR (AMPHIBIAN)](https://openairdocs.org/model/wehmer-alan-r-seastar-amphibian) (registry code 0590278) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912S series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912s-series) (registry code 55570, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: S0169 - Airframe hours: 0 - Engines: Rotax 912S 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special); Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: PHJR, Kapolei, HI - Destination: PHJR, Kapolei, HI - Airport: PHJR, Kalaeloa Airport (John Rogers), runway 4L, 4,500 × 200 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; last flight review September 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 56 total, 8 in this make and model, 21 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PHJR ## 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 20070825022489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070825022489A), Aug 25, 2007: Amtr SEASTAR, Kapolei, HI, Substantial damage. (-23) PIC reported the airplane engine quit running upon takeoff. Airplane was on its first flight after being issued an experimental light sport special… 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.