# NTSB LAX92LA314: James Schwarzman Avid Flyer Heavy, N771AF, Truckee, CA, July 26, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1992, 13:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Truckee, CA
- Location: 39.3280° N, 120.1833° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Truckee, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3280&lon=-120.1833&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27700
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA314
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27700/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA314

## Probable cause

FUEL STARVATION DUE TO THE AIRCRAFT BUILDER LOCATING THE FUEL FILTER IN AN IMPROPER LOCATION DURING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE AIRPLANE'S FUEL SYSTEM.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - maintenance,modification - inadequate, manufacturer (cause)
  - fuel system,filter - blocked(partial) (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING THE TURN FROM BASE TO FINAL ON A VFR APPROACH, THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE HAD A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER.  THE PILOT PERFORMED A FORCED LANDING TO A ROAD.  DURING LANDING ROLL, ONE WING COLLIDED WITH A BUSH AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN FLOWN 8 TOTAL HOURS SINCE BEING BUILT.  EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED A PARTIALLY BLOCKED FUEL FILTER WHICH WAS LOCATED BETWEEN THE MAIN (WING) TANKS AND A HEADER TANK.  THE FUEL FROM THE MAIN TANKS TO THE HEADER TANK WAS GRAVITY FED AND REQUIRED ABOUT 1 POUND PER SQUARE INCH TO ENSURE A CONSTANT SUPPLY OF FUEL IN THE HEADER TANK.  THE PARTIALLY BLOCKED FILTER WAS 'UP-STREAM' OF THE FUEL BOOST PUMP LOCATED IN THE HEADER TANK. ACCORDING TO THE OWNER/MANUFACTURER OF THE AIRPLANE, THE PARTIALLY BLOCKED FILTER REDUCED THE FUEL FLOW BELOW THAT REQUIRED TO ADEQUATELY SUPPLY FUEL TO THE HEADER TANK.  THE OWNER ALSO STATED THAT HE SHOULD NOT HAVE PLACED THE FILTER IN THIS LOCATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N771AF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N771AF-2013-09-26), registration cancelled 2013-09-26, S/N 771, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: JAMES SCHWARZMAN AVID FLYER HEAVY (AVID FLYER)
- Registry model: [Schwarzman James AVID HEAVY HAULER](https://openairdocs.org/model/schwarzman-james-avid-heavy-hauler) (registry code 9570898) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 771
- Airframe hours: 8
- Engines: ROTAX 582UL 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James Schwarzman
- Registered owner: James Schwarzman
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: TRK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F

## 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 19920726027339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920726027339A), Jul 26, 1992: Amtr AVIDFLYER, Truckee, CA, Destroyed. Fuel starvation turning final. Struck bush and tumbled landing. Fuel filter clogged. Was ustream from fuel pump.

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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