# NTSB NYC02LA130: Wheeler Volksplane VP-2, N21267, Collins, NY, July 4, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 4, 2002, 08:00 local (12:00 UTC) - Place: Collins, NY - Coordinates: 42.496665, -78.919998 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4967&lon=-78.9200&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report April 1, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 55143 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC02LA130 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55143/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55143 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC02LA130 ## Probable cause The separation of an ignition lead to the distributor cap, which resulted in a total loss of engine power. Factors in the accident were trees and power lines. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - ignition system,ignition lead - separation (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) ## Analysis The accident flight was the first flight after the pilot had purchased the airplane. Prior to the flight, the airplane had been inspected by a certified airframe and powerplants mechanic, and onboard it had an estimated 7 to 8 gallons of fuel. About 45 minutes into the flight, while the engine was running at full throttle, it stopped producing power. The airplane was about 3 nautical miles from the airport, and the pilot realized he could not make it back. About 400 feet above the ground the pilot spotted a landing area. With the engine off and the propeller "windmilling", the pilot maneuvered the airplane to avoid trees and power lines. The airplane initially impacted a road, then came to rest in a field. Examination of the Volkswagen engine revealed that one of the coil leads connected to the distributor cap was loose and burnt. ## Factual narrative On July 4, 2002, about 0800 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt Volksplane VP-2, N21267, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in Collins, New York. The certificated private pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. No flight plan had been filed for the local flight, which originated at Ciszak Airport (35NY), Springville, New York. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he had recently purchased the accident airplane, and this was his first flight in it. Prior to the flight, the airplane was inspected by a certificated airframe and powerplants mechanic, and onboard it carried an estimated 7 to 8 gallons of 87-octane gasoline. After startup, the pilot taxied the airplane to get a feel for the controls, and to check engine performance. He then took off and climbed the airplane to a maneuvering altitude, where he practiced stalls and familiarized himself with it's flight characteristics. The pilot stated that about 45 minutes into the flight, while the engine was running at full throttle, it stopped producing power. It did not shudder, vibrate or smoke, and made no strange noises prior to the stoppage. At that time, the airplane was about 3 nautical miles from the airport, and the pilot realized he could not make it back. The airplane was about 400 feet above the ground when the pilot spotted a landing area. With the engine off and the propeller "windmilling", the pilot maneuvered the airplane to avoid trees and power lines. The airplane impacted a road, then came to rest in a field about 50 feet from the road. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, examination of the wreckage revealed crush damage to the right and left wings, and damage to the main landing gear. Inspection of the Volkswagen engine revealed that one of the coil leads connected to the distributor cap was loose and burnt. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident flight. Weather, about the time of the accident at an airport about 25 nautical miles to the north, included winds from 230 degrees at 9 knots, scattered clouds at 500 feet, and a visibility of 10 statute miles. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N21267](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21267-2018-03-01), registration cancelled 2018-03-01, S/N 1234, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Wheeler Volksplane VP-2 - Registry model: [Wheeler Gilbert VP-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/wheeler-gilbert-vp-2) (registry code 05635H4) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1234 - Airframe hours: 100 - Engines: Volkswagen Type 3 53 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 8, 2001, 3 hours before - Departed: 35NY, Springville Air, NY - Destination: NY ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review June 17, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 4,311 total, 3 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: BUF, 25 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 20020704017669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020704017669A), Jul 4, 2002: Amtr VP2, Collinscenter, NY, No damage. (-23) Investigation of wheeler gilbert aircraft, manufactured in 1990, serial no. 1234, found the aircraft's electrical lead from the coil to the distributor… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 11, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55143. 422 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 290 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460433&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 83 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460434&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record (item 3, .PDF, 48 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460435&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record-Master.PDF 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.