# NTSB MIA91LA126: Rudolph Zeller Lancair, N360R, Titusville, FL, April 22, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 22, 1991, 10:53 local (14:53 UTC)
- Place: Titusville, FL
- Coordinates: 28.58011, -80.819084 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.5801&lon=-80.8191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32853
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA126
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32853/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA126

## Probable cause

THE USE OF IMPROPER MATERIALS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE ALTERNATE AIR DOOR BY THE AIRCRAFT OWNER/BUILDER RESULTING IN FAILURE AND SEPARATION OF THE DOOR WHICH RESULTED IN BLOCKAGE OF AIR FLOW TO THE CARBURETOR AND LOSS OF ALL ENGINE POWER.

## 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, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - induction air control,alternate air/door - improper (cause)
  - maintenance,design change - performed, manufacturer (cause)
  - material inadequate,improper, manufacturer (cause)
  - induction air control,alternate air/door - fatigue (cause)
  - induction air control,alternate air/door - separation (cause)
  - induction air control/system - blocked(partial) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - berm

## Analysis

FLT EXPERIENCED TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND CRASHED WHILE ATTEMPTING A FORCED LANDING. PROPER FUEL QUANTITY WAS PRESENT IN ACFT AND ENGINE AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE TO INDICATE PRECRASH MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY. THE CARBURETOR AIR BOX ALTERNATE AIR DOOR WAS FOUND BROKEN OFF IN THE AIR BOX AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND WAS IN A POSITION TO BLOCK AIR FLOW TO THE CARBURETOR. THE DOOR WAS MADE BY THE ACFT OWNER/BUILDER OUT OF .032 INCH THICK METAL WITH A SHARP 90 DEGREE BEND AT THE POINT OF FAILURE. THE ACFT PLANS CALL FOR .040 INCH METAL. THE CARBURETOR AIR BOX HAD NO IMPACT DAMAGE WHICH WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE DOOR TO FAIL AND MARKS IN THE BOX INDICATED THE DOOR HAD MOVED AROUND IN THE BOX FOR SOMETIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N360R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N360R-1991-08-05), registration cancelled 1991-08-05, S/N 354 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RUDOLPH ZELLER LANCAIR
- Registry model: [Zeller Rudolph LANCAIR](https://openairdocs.org/model/zeller-rudolph-lancair) (registry code 05616TS) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 354
- Airframe hours: 7
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Zeller, Rudolph
- Registered owner: Zeller, Rudolph
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 18, 1991, 7 hours before
- Departed: COI, COCOA BEACH, FL
- Airport: TIX, Space Center Executive, runway 36, 6,001 × 150 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 31,500 total, 4 in this make and model, 28,500 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TIX, 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 19910422011739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910422011739A), Apr 22, 1991: Amtr LANCAIR, Titusville, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Engine failed in pattern. Struck dirt bank on force landing. Alternate air door came loose blocked intake air.

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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