# NTSB NYC01LA177: Raum Rans S-12, N40R, Waldorf, MD, July 16, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 16, 2001, 18:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Waldorf, MD - Coordinates: 38.639747, -76.899551 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6397&lon=-76.8996&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 18, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 52752 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC01LA177 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52752/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC01LA177 ## Probable cause Fuel contamination. A factor related to the accident was the builder’s decision to not install fuel tank drains. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - acft/equip,inadequate design, owner/builder (contributing factor) - fuel system,tank - contamination (cause) - fuel system,drain - not installed ## Analysis Prior to departing on the accident flight, the pilot fueled the airplane with fuel cans that he had in the garage; however, he could not recall how old the fuel was, or when the last fueling of the airplane took place. The pilot estimated that the wing tanks were filled "half way" prior to the fueling. After departure, while in cruise flight, the pilot turned the airplane, and the engine suddenly lost all power. The pilot performed a forced landing to a construction site, and the airplane touched down hard, coming to rest upright. The fuel tanks were not equipped with fuel sump drains, and the only means of assuring the fuel was absent of contamination, was a sump drain located on the manifold, which provided fuel to the engine. According to a representative of the airplane kit manufacturer, the kit was produced with two flat fuel tanks, which included withdrawal points located on the front and back of the tanks. Fuel lines from both wing tanks were then routed to a "mixer block," which was located about 2 feet below the tanks. A valve, located on the "mixer block," enabled the pilot to drain fuel and check for contamination. The representative added that it was at the discretion of the kit builder to install sump drains at the low point of the wing fuel tanks, and they did not provide any guidance on preflight procedures. ## Factual narrative On July 16, 2001, about 1830 eastern daylight time, a Rans S-12, N40R, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Waldorf, Maryland. The certificated private pilot was seriously injured, and the passenger was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he was in cruise flight over Waldorf, en route to a private landing strip. As he made a turn, the engine suddenly lost all power. A forced landing was performed to a construction site, and the airplane touched down hard, coming to rest upright. A witness, who was working at the construction site, stated that he observed the airplane flying over some trees and the engine did not sound like it was developing power. The pilot stated that he had completely fueled the airplane prior to departing on the accident flight, with fuel cans that he had in the garage; however, he could not recall how old the fuel was, or when the last fueling of the airplane took place. The pilot estimated that the wing tanks were filled "half way" prior to the fueling. The pilot additionally stated that the airplane was constructed with "flat" fuel tanks. The fuel tanks were not equipped with fuel sump drains, and the only means of assuring the fuel was absent of contamination, was a sump drain located on the manifold, which provided fuel to the engine. The pilot reported that no recent maintenance had been performed on the airplane or engine, and it was "running fine" prior to the accident. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane after the accident and observed fuel in the lines and carburetor bowl. The inspector could not conduct a test run of the engine due to impact damage. According to a representative of the airplane kit manufacturer, the kit was produced with two flat fuel tanks, which included withdrawal points located on the front and back of the tanks. Fuel lines from both wing tanks were then routed to a "mixer block," which was located about 2 feet below the tanks. A valve, located on the "mixer block," enabled the pilot to drain fuel and check for contamination. The representative added that it was at the discretion of the kit builder to install sump drains at the low point of the wing fuel tanks, and they did not provide any guidance on preflight procedures. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N40R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40R-2001-10-23), registration cancelled 2001-10-23, S/N 0891117, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Raum Rans S-12 - Registry model: [Raum Ronald A RANS S-12 AIR](https://openairdocs.org/model/raum-ronald-a-rans-s-12-air) (registry code 05618BU) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 0891117 - Airframe hours: 630 - Engines: 912 96 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Joseph D. Harab - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 6, 2001, 56 hours before - Departed: W18, Laurel, MD - Destination: NONE, Waldorf, MD - Airport: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review July 12, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 860 total, 400 in this make and model, 623 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 6 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 22,000 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: ADW, 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 20010716022219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010716022219A), Jul 16, 2001: Amtr RANSS12, Waldorf, MD, No damage. (-23) Aircraft N40R, departed laurel suburban airport (W18) Maryland enroute to a private airfield at Waldorf, Maryland. There were two persons aboard 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.