# NTSB NYC08LA224: Aero Vodochody Aero. Works L-29 Delfin, N29DJ, Millville, NJ, June 22, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 22, 2008, 08:05 local (12:05 UTC)
- Place: Millville, NJ
- Coordinates: 39.357223, -75.083885
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3572&lon=-75.0839&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 6, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68280
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08LA224
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68280/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=68280
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08LA224

## Probable cause

A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of a clogged fuel filter that was not identified due to the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aerovodochody L-29 DELFIN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=0564310), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md)
- [Maintenance: scheduled/routine maintenance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010): Personnel issues › Task performance · Owner/builder; cases with it: [Aerovodochody L-29 DELFIN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010/cases.md?model=0564310), [All aircraft, 320 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010/cases.md)
- [Fuel system: fuel filter-strainer](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Aerovodochody L-29 DELFIN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821/cases.md?model=0564310), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821/cases.md)
- [Fuel system: fuel filter-strainer](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Inadequate inspection (probable cause); cases with it: [Aerovodochody L-29 DELFIN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821/cases.md?model=0564310), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Aerovodochody L-29 DELFIN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=0564310), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Aerovodochody L-29 DELFIN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=0564310), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Aerovodochody L-29 DELFIN, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0564310), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

While climbing after takeoff, the former Czech military jet trainer experienced a total loss of engine power and struck pine trees in a wooded area about 1 mile southwest of the airport. Subsequent examination of the airplane's fuel system revealed fuel that drained from the fuel filter was contaminated with black sediment, and appeared "extremely cloudy." Additionally, the fuel filter element was contaminated and restricted the flow of fuel to the engine. The pilot purchased the airplane about 1 year prior to the accident. The maintenance records were not located. The pilot fueled the airplane from a tank on the back of a pickup truck. Review of fuel receipts revealed that the day prior to the accident, the pilot purchased about 138 gallons of "kerosene," 6 gallons of "off road diesel," and 27 gallons of "diesel" fuel. Review of a preflight inspection checklist for the airplane revealed that it included discharging "2 liters" of fuel from the fuel filter drain to check for contamination.

## Factual narrative

On June 22, 2008, about 0805 eastern daylight time, an Aero Vodochody Aero. Works L-29 Delfin, N29DJ, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain, after it experienced a total loss of engine power while climbing, after takeoff from Millville Municipal Airport (MIV), Millville, New Jersey. The certificated private pilot and a passenger were killed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight that was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The airplane was built as a Czech military jet trainer and was certificated as an experimental aircraft in the exhibition category. According to a communication transcript, the pilot contacted the Millville remote automated flight service station for airport advisories at 0757, and stated that he would be utilizing runway 28 for takeoff, a 6,002-foot-long, 150-foot-wide, asphalt runway. At 0801:16, the pilot reported that he was departing. Witnesses reported that the airplane took off from runway 28, and the engine sounded like it experienced a loss of power, shortly after takeoff. One witness stated that the airplane's engine sounded "very loud" during the taxi, run-up, and takeoff portions of the flight. The airplane climbed to an altitude of about 700 to 1,000 feet, and began to make a left turn. The witness further stated: "...When the aircraft was abeam the numbers at the approach end of runway 10, the loud engine went silent. A few seconds later, the left wing dipped and the aircraft went into a left spiraling spin, plunging below the tree line...." The airplane struck pine trees, in a wooded area, about 1 mile southwest of the airport. There was no postcrash fire. A fuel odor was present at the accident scene and red-tinted fuel was observed in the airplane's main fuel tanks. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector was conducted June 27, 2008. According to the FAA inspector, examination of the engine's compressor and power turbine was consistent with low rpm. The main fuel filter was drained at the fuel filter housing through the sump drain, into a sample jar. The fuel was reddish-gray, contaminated with black sediment, and appeared "extremely cloudy." The fuel filter was then disassembled and displayed evidence of contamination. The fuel lines from the fuel filter to the high-pressure pump, to the fuel servo and to the fuel nozzles did not contain any evidence of fuel. The inspector further stated that witnesses reported that the pilot fueled the airplane from a tank on the back of a pickup truck. According to fuel receipts, the pilot purchased about 138 gallons of "kerosene," 6 gallons of "off road diesel," and 27 gallons of "diesel" fuel, the day before the accident. Data downloaded from a handheld Garmin 296 global positioning system (GPS) receiver, located in the wreckage, revealed that the airplane reached a maximum speed of 145 miles per hour and a maximumaltitude of 847 feet. According to records obtained from the FAA, the airplane was purchased by the pilot during June 2007, and registered under a Limited Liability Company (LLC). The airplane's maintenance records were not located. Review of a preflight inspection checklist for the airplane revealed that it included discharging "2 liters" of fuel from the fuel filter drain to check for contamination. The pilot reported 20,000 hours of total flight experience on his most recent application for an FAA second-class medical certificate, which was dated August 29, 2007. An autopsy was performed on the pilot and passenger on June 24, 2008, by the State of New Jersey Southern Regional Medical Examiner's Office, Woodbine, New Jersey. The autopsy reports for both occupants listed the cause of death as "multiple blunt trauma." Toxicological testing conducted on the pilot by the FAA Forensic Toxicology Research Team, Civil Aerospace Medical Institute was negative for drugs and alcohol. A weather observation taken at MIV, at 0754, reported: variable winds at 3 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clear sky, temperature 24 degrees Celsius (C), dew point 19 degrees C, altimeter 29.97 inches of mercury.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N29DJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N29DJ-2012-08-14), registration cancelled 2012-08-14, S/N 892806, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aero Vodochody Aero. Works L-29 Delfin
- Registry model: [Aerovodochody L-29 DELFIN](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerovodochody-l-29-delfin) (registry code 0564310) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Motorlet M-701C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/motorlet-m-701c) (registry code 46000, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 892806
- Engines: Czech M701C-400 1962 lbs thrust turbo jet
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William E. Crean
- Registered owner: Air Up, LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: MIV, Millville, NJ
- Airport: MIV, Millville Municipal, runway 28, 6,002 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 20,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observed at: MIV, 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 20080622843809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080622843809A), Jun 22, 2008: Aerovd L29, Millville, NJ, Destroyed, 2 fatal. (-23) On June 22, 2008, about 08:01 eastern daylight time (EDT), an aero vodochody L-29, foreign built military jet trainer, N29DJ, registered to air up, LLC…

## Docket (12 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 4, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=68280. 3.6 MB in all.

- Flight Service Communication Transcripts (item 1, .PDF, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40309504&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flight%20Service%20Communication%20Transcripts-Redacted.PDF
- Witness Statements (item 2, .PDF, 298 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40309503&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF
- Garmin GPS Track Data (item 3, .PDF, 220 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40309505&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Garmin%20GPS%20Track%20Data-Master.PDF
- Airplane's Flight Track overlayed on Google Earth Map (item 4, .PDF, 277 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40309506&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airplane%27s%20Flight%20Track%20overlayed%20on%20Google%20Earth%20Map-Master.PDF
- Airplane Preflight Inspection Checklist (excerpts) and Fuel System Diagram (item 5, .PDF, 134 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40309511&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airplane%20Preflight%20Inspection%20Checklist%20(excerpts)%20and%20Fuel%20System%20Diagram-Master.PDF
- Bill of Sale and Registration Data (item 6, .PDF, 110 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40309522&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Bill%20of%20Sale%20and%20Registration%20Data-Redacted.PDF
- Fuel Receipts (item 7, .PDF, 35 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40309523&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Fuel%20Receipts-Redacted.PDF
- FAA Toxicology Fatal Accident Report (item 8, .PDF, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40309517&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Toxicology%20Fatal%20Accident%20Report-Redacted.PDF
- Photograph # 1: View of Accident Site (provided by FAA) (item 9, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40309518&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%201%3A%20View%20of%20Accident%20Site%20(provided%20by%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photograph # 2: Fuel Samples (provided by FAA) (item 10, .PDF, 374 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40309519&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%202%3A%20Fuel%20Samples%20(provided%20by%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photograph # 3: Fuel Filter (provided by FAA) (item 11, .PDF, 422 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40309520&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%203%3A%20%20Fuel%20Filter%20(provided%20by%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photograph # 4: Fuel Filter Element (provided by FAA) (item 12, .PDF, 435 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40309521&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%204%3A%20Fuel%20Filter%20Element%20(provided%20by%20FAA)-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.

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