# NTSB NYC00LA261: Carlson CA-8, N47XY, East Palestine, OH, September 8, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 8, 2000, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: East Palestine, OH - Coordinates: 40.830936, -80.539428 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8309&lon=-80.5394&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 19, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50253 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC00LA261 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50253/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00LA261 ## Probable cause Fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's inadequate pre-flight inspection. A factor in this accident was the inadequate marking of the fuel selector valve to clearly indicate a fully open position. ## 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) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fuel system,selector/valve - unmarked (contributing factor) - Forced landing, takeoff - initial climb - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - crop ## Analysis According to pilot, he performed a thorough pre-flight inspection and run-up of the homebuilt airplane prior to takeoff. He also stated that he checked the position of the fuel valve, which was located under the cockpit panel, by 'bumping' it with his foot. During the takeoff, the airplane accelerated and lifted off normally; however, when the airplane reached 150 feet above the runway, the engine began to lose power, 'like fuel starvation.' The pilot made a right turn and performed a forced landing to a soybean field. During the forced landing, the airplane nosed over, and came to rest inverted. The pilot stated the airplane's fuel tank capacity was 10 gallons, and he departed with about 4 gallons of fuel on board. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any pre-impact malfunctions; however, it was noted that the airplane's fuel valve, did not contain a 'hard stop' or detent, and could be rotated 360 degrees. The pilot reported he had not flown the airplane for over a year prior to the accident, and he did not recall the nature of the valve used during the airplane's construction. He believed the valve had a detent or manual stop, and was not aware that it could be rotated 360 degrees. ## Factual narrative On September 8, 2000, about 1130 Eastern Daylight Time, a homebuilt CA-8, N47XY, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after takeoff from the Aero Flight Center Airport (55OI), East Palestine, Ohio. The certificated commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight destined for the Salem Airpark, Salem, Ohio. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to pilot, he performed a thorough pre-flight inspection and run-up prior to takeoff from Runway 29. He also stated that he checked the position of the fuel valve by "bumping" it with his foot. During the takeoff, the airplane accelerated and lifted off normally; however, when the airplane reached 150 feet above the runway, the engine began to lose power, "like fuel starvation." The pilot made a right turn and performed a forced landing to a soybean field. During the forced landing, the airplane nose over and came to rest inverted. The pilot stated the airplane's fuel tank capacity was 10 gallons, and he departed with about 4 gallons of fuel on board. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any pre-impact malfunctions; however, the inspector noted that the airplane's fuel valve, which was located under the cockpit panel, did not contain a "hard stop" or detent, and could be rotated 360 degrees. The pilot reported he had not flown the airplane for over a year prior to the accident, and he did not recall the nature of the valve used during the airplane's construction. He believed the valve had a detent or manual stop, and was not aware that it could be rotated 360 degrees. ## Aircraft - Registration: N47XY (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Carlson CA-8 - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: CA003 - Airframe hours: 108 - Engines: Lycoming O-145 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Robert Mason - Registered owner: Carlson Aircraft Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 55OI - Destination: 38D, SALEM, OH - Airport: 55OI, Aero Flight Center, runway 29, 3,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 79; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 3,541 total, 100 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BVI, 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 20000908015469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000908015469A), Sep 8, 2000: Amtr CA8, East Palestine, OH, No damage. (-23) Mr. Mason made final check/verification of fuel flow valve using his foot, without visual confirmation (valve located under cockpit control panel. The… 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.