# NTSB LAX99LA153: Ventura Rans S-12, N8179V, El Cajon, CA, April 17, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 17, 1999, 08:43 local (15:43 UTC) - Place: El Cajon, CA - Coordinates: 32.789871, -116.959259 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7899&lon=-116.9593&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46137 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA153 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46137/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA153 ## Probable cause Engine power loss due to an interruption of fuel to or within a carburetor, and the resultant overheating of its associated cylinder. The reason for the fuel flow interruption could not be determined. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - fuel system,carburetor - malfunction (cause) - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - engine assembly,cylinder - overtemperature - engine assembly,cylinder - seized - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - residential area - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - pole ## Analysis All airplane systems functioned normally upon takeoff. During initial climb, between 200 and 300 feet above ground level, all engine power was lost. Unable to return to the airport, the pilot made a forced landing in a nearby parking lot. During rollout the airplane collided with a pole. An examination of the 2-stroke, 2-cylinder Bombadier Rotax engine revealed one of the two cylinders was scored and exhibited signatures consistent with overheating. The cylinder appeared to have experienced an insufficient flow of the fuel-oil mixture. The carburetor connected to this cylinder assembly was found devoid of fuel. Fuel was found in the second carburetor, which was connected to the second cylinder assembly. No obstructions were noted in any of the fuel lines, carburetors, or the Mikuni Kogyo engine driven dual fuel pump. No evidence regarding the apparent interruption of fuel to the rear carburetor was found. ## Factual narrative On April 17, 1999, about 0843 hours Pacific daylight time, a Ventura Rans S-12 homebuilt airplane, N8179V, experienced a total loss of engine power during initial climb from runway 27L at the Gillespie Field, El Cajon, California. The pilot, who owned and operated the experimental airplane, made a forced landing in a parking lot near the airport. During rollout the airplane was substantially damaged upon colliding with a light pole. The private pilot received minor injuries, and the passenger received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The personal flight was performed under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated from El Cajon about 0842. The pilot reported that all airplane systems functioned normally upon takeoff. Between 200 and 300 feet above ground level the engine lost all power, and the propeller stopped turning. The pilot stated that he was unable to land on the adjacent runway because of other airplane traffic. The pilot also reported that the examination of the 2-stroke, 2-cylinder Bombadier Rotax engine revealed one of the two cylinders was scored and exhibited signatures consistent with overheating. The cylinder appeared to have experienced an insufficient flow of the fuel-oil mixture. The carburetor connected to this cylinder assembly was examined and found devoid of fuel. Fuel was found in the second carburetor, which was connected to the second cylinder assembly. No obstructions were noted in any of the fuel lines, carburetors, or the Mikuni Kogyo engine driven dual fuel pump. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the engine and accessories. The inspector similarly noted the scored rear cylinder and piston assembly overheating signatures. No evidence regarding the apparent interruption of fuel to the rear carburetor was found. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8179V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8179V-1999-08-17), registration cancelled 1999-08-17, S/N AV8812835-12 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ventura RANS S-12 - Registry model: [Ventura Alejandro RANS S-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/ventura-alejandro-rans-s-12) (registry code 05606RV) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: AV8812835-12 - Airframe hours: 82 - Engines: Rotax 582 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Alejandro Ventura - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 10, 1998, 82 hours before - Departed: SEE, EL CAJON, CA - Destination: SDM, SAN DIEGO, CA - Airport: SEE, Gillespie Field, runway 27L, 2,737 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 211 total, 82 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SEE, 1 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 19990417003679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990417003679A), Apr 17, 1999: Amtr RANSS12, El Cajon, CA, Substantial damage. Acft lost power shortly after take-off, the pilot attempted a left turn back to the arpt, and the acft lost control and crashed, other circumstances are… 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.