# NTSB NYC04LA214: Ryan ST3KR, N57015, Bealeton, VA, September 19, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 19, 2004, 16:48 local (20:48 UTC) - Place: Bealeton, VA - Coordinates: 38.543056, -77.714996 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5431&lon=-77.7150&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report June 8, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 60168 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04LA214 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60168/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA214 ## Probable cause The improper installation of fuel lines by maintenance personnel resulting in a total loss of 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, climb - fluid,fuel - starvation - fuel system,line - misrouted (cause) - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The pilot preflighted the airplane, noting there was approximately 12 gallons of fuel onboard. He then departed, and proceeded to a local "flying circus," which was about 5 minutes away. He did a few aerobatic maneuvers, and landed at the circus. The pilot flew in the opening and closing ceremonies before departing on the accident flight. He started the engine, noted approximately 5 gallons of fuel remaining, and then departed with the fuel selector set to "RESERVE." Once airborne and passing approximately 200 to 300 feet, the engine suddenly lost power. The pilot identified a golf course and maneuvered to land. The airplane touched down, encountered a pond, and nosed over. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the fuel lines to the fuel selector were reversed, making 3 gallons of normally useable fuel unusable. The pilot purchased the airplane in 1986, had it rebuilt, which was completed in 2000, and then flew it 100 to 150 hours without a problem. The accident flight was the first time the pilot had operated the airplane with less than 5 gallons of fuel onboard. ## Factual narrative On September 19, 2004, about 1648 eastern daylight time, N57015, a Ryan ST3KR, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Bealeton, Virginia, after a total loss of engine power. The certificated airline transport pilot received serious injuries. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated from the Flying Circus Aerodrome (3VA3), Warrenton, Virginia, destined for the Warrenton-Fauquier Airport (W66), Warrenton, Virginia. No flight plan was filed, and the flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he arrived at the airport about 1300, and preflighted the airplane, noting that there was approximately 12 gallons of fuel onboard. He then departed Warrenton, and proceeded to a local "flying circus," which was about 5 minutes away. Once over the circus, he did a few aerobatic maneuvers, and landed. The pilot flew in the opening and closing ceremonies, and estimated that the airplane had flown approximately 50 minutes before departing on the accident flight. The pilot started the engine, noted that he had approximately 5 gallons of fuel remaining, and then departed with the fuel selector set to "RESERVE." Once airborne and passing approximately 200 to 300 feet, the engine suddenly lost power. The pilot initially tried to execute a 180 degree turn, but quickly realized he had insufficient altitude for the maneuver. He then identified a golf course and maneuvered to land, trying to avoid as many people as possible. The airplane touched down, encountered a pond, and nosed over. With the airplane upside down in the water, the pilot was trapped and unable to breathe. Several golfers were able to lift the airplane high enough to extract the pilot, and move him to safety. According to a written statement provided by the pilot, examination of the wreckage revealed that the fuel lines to the fuel selector were reversed. The proper installation would allow the engine to draw all useable fuel minus 3 gallons with the fuel selector set to "MAIN. With the selector set to "RESERVE," 3 gallons would become available. With the fuel lines reversed, the engine would be starved for fuel with 3 gallons remaining, and the selector set to "RESERVE." According to the pilot, he purchased the airplane in 1986, and then sent it to Wisconsin to be rebuilt. He got the airplane back in 2000, and since then flew it 100 to 150 hours without a problem. The accident flight was the first time the pilot ever operated the airplane with less than 5 gallons of fuel onboard. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N57015](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N57015), registered now, S/N 2042, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ryan ST3KR - Registry model: [Ryan Aeronautical ST3KR](https://openairdocs.org/model/ryan-aeronautical-st3kr) (registry code 7830502) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Kinner R5 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/kinner-r5-series) (registry code 37504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2042 - Airframe hours: 1871.6 - Engines: Ranger L-440-5 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: NORBOB, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 3, 2003, 18.2 hours before - Departed: 3VA3, Bealeton, VA - Destination: W66, Warrenton, VA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: serious; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 1, 2004; seat: right; flight hours: 24,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 20,000 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 10 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: HEF, 12 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 20040919035589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040919035589A), Sep 19, 2004: Ryan ST3KR, Bealeton, VA, Substantial damage. (-23) N57015 with the pilot [privacy data omitted] as pilot in command departed flying circus aerodrome enroute to W66 (warrenton-faquier airport). The engine… ## Other investigations on N57015 (2) 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. - [NTSB BFO90LA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO90LA078), Sep 23, 1990: Ryan ST3KR (N57015), Bealeton, VA, destroyed. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A VIGILENT WATCH FOR OTHER AIRCRAFT OPERATING ON THE UNCONTROLLED AIRPORT. THE UNEVEN TERRAIN ON THE AIRPORT RESTRICTED VISIBILITY AND CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT.… - [NTSB LAX65A0067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX65A0067), Feb 14, 1965: Ryan ST-3KR (N57015), Kipley, CA, destroyed, 1 fatal 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.