# NTSB LAX08LA271: Hawker Sea Fury TMK 20, N51SF, Reno, NV, August 20, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 20, 2008, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Reno, NV
- Coordinates: 39.667778, -119.882499 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6678&lon=-119.8825&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 29, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68755
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08LA271
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68755/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08LA271

## Probable cause

A ruptured center balance diaphragm that resulted in a loss of engine power during final approach and subsequent forced landing on a desert floor.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Engine fuel and control: fuel control/carburetor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Fatigue/wear/corrosion (probable cause); cases with it: [Hawker SEA FURY TMK 20, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322/cases.md?model=4220120), [All aircraft, 195 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322/cases.md)
- [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Hawker SEA FURY TMK 20, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=4220120), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Hawker SEA FURY TMK 20, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=4220120), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Hawker SEA FURY TMK 20, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=4220120), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)

## Analysis

After installing a new carburetor on the airplane, a flight check was performed. No discrepancies were noted with the run-up or takeoff; however, on final approach, the engine lost power. The pilot had to maneuver the airplane away from the ILS during the forced landing on the desert floor. The tail section separated at the empennage, as well as propeller and leading edge damage to both wings. An inspection of the carburetor revealed that the center balance diaphragm (part number 366999) had ruptured, which allowed fuel into the air passages and forced the engine to lose power.

## Factual narrative

On August 20, 2008, about 1330 Pacific daylight time, a Hawker Sea Fury TMK 20, N51SF, lost total engine power on final for runway 14 at the Reno-Stead Airport (4SD), Reno, Nevada. Cavanaugh Air Museum, Inc., operated the airplane under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a maintenance test flight. The airline transport rated pilot, who is also a mechanic, was not injured. The airplane sustained structural damage to the fuselage during the forced landing on the desert floor. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, a new carburetor had been installed on the airplane the day before the accident. The accident flight was a maintenance check flight. While on final for runway 14, the engine quit. The pilot had to maneuver away from the instrument landing system (ILS) during the forced landing, and the airplane came to rest short of runway 32. The tail section separated at the empennage, as well as propeller and leading edge damage to both wings. The carburetor was shipped to Vintage Carburetors, Inc., Tehachapi, California. Repair personnel reported that prior to disassembly the carburetor was placed on a flow bench and did not pass the air leakage check; chamber B became filled with fuel and would not flow. According to paperwork submitted by Vintage Carburetors, if either or both of the air passages (chamber A or B) have fuel in it, it could indicate leaking diaphragms. During disassembly of the carburetor, repair personnel noted that the center balance diaphragm (part number 366999) had ruptured.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51SF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51SF-2013-04-25), registration cancelled 2013-04-25, S/N ES3613, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Hawker Sea Fury TMK 20
- Registry model: [Hawker SEA FURY TMK 20](https://openairdocs.org/model/hawker-sea-fury-tmk-20) (registry code 4220120) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Wright R3350-26WD](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wright-r3350-26wd) (registry code 67059, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: ES3613
- Airframe hours: 3247
- Engines: Wright 3350-26WD 2800 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Flight test, Part 91
- Operator: Cavanaugh Air Museum, Inc.
- Registered owner: Cavanaugh Air Museum, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 1, 2007, 30 hours before
- Departed: 4SD, Reno, NV
- Destination: 4SD, Reno, NV
- Airport: 4sd, Reno Stead Airport, runway 14, 9,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; injuries: minor; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 14, 2008; seat: front; flight hours: 30,092 total, 177 in this make and model, 27,663 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observed at: RNO, 10 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 20080820843779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080820843779A), Aug 20, 2008: Amtr SEAFURYTMK20, Reno, NV, Substantial damage. (-23) The aircraft lost power on downwind for runway 14 and the pilot landed short of the runway.

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.

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