# NTSB NYC96LA005: Kelosky Pulsar XP, N95RK, Zelienople, PA, October 9, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 9, 1995, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Zelienople, PA - Coordinates: 40.77972, -80.139068 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7797&lon=-80.1391&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 9, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39107 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC96LA005 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39107/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96LA005 ## Probable cause The pilot inadvertently allowed the airplane to lift-off during a high speed taxi check, while operating the airplane with a known deficiency that consisted of a partially blocked quick disconnect fitting, which resulted in fuel starvation and the 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) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command (cause) - lift-off - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - fuel system,line fitting - blocked(partial) (cause) - maintenance,service bulletin/letter - not complied with, owner/pilot mechanic (contributing factor) - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with object, emergency landing after takeoff - object - wire,static ## Analysis The airplane lifted off during a high speed taxi check. The pilot believed there was insufficient runway remaining to land and stop, so he continued climbing. During the climb, about 200 feet above the ground, the engine lost power. The pilot performed a forced landing, during which, the airplane impacted a wire and nosed down. Postaccident examination revealed that there was a fuel flow restriction at the left wing, quick disconnect fitting. The fuel selector was found positioned to the left tank, and fuel was observed leaking from the left tank. A safety bulletin was issued by the manufacturer, which stated that the quick disconnect fittings were restricting fuel flow, and the manufacturer 'advised everyone in the September, 1995 Newsletter to cease flight operations until replacing the quick disconnects.' Additionally, the pilot reported he had ordered the new quick disconnects, but had not received them as of the accident date. ## Factual narrative On October 9, 1995, about 1730 eastern daylight time, a Pulsar XP, an experimental, homebuilt airplane, N95RK, collided with wires during a forced landing at the Zelienople Airport, Zelienople, Pennsylvania. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The local, personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that he was performing a taxi test, during which he lifted off the runway and climbed to 50' above the ground, with the intent to land again; however, he continued with the climb, with the concern of not having enough runway length to land and stop. During the climb, about 200' above the ground, the engine lost power and the pilot performed a forced landing. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted wires and nosed straight down. Postaccident examination by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector revealed that the left quick disconnect fitting, used to facilitate removal of the wing, was restricting fuel flow. The right wing quick disconnect fitting allowed normal fuel flow. The fuel selector valve was in the left tank position. Fuel was observed leaking out of the left wing fuel tank, and the right wing fuel tank was full. The manufacturer issued a safety bulletin which stated: ...One of our Pulsar XP builders reported poor engine performance during ground runs prior to first flight. The problem was a lack of fuel flow from the wing tank to the engine. After much testing, the cause was traced to the quick disconnects....It is possible that the seal material used in the disconnects may not be compatible with certain new types of fuel additives, such as methanol alcohol in auto fuel. If the seals swell when subjected to these additives, fuel flow will be limited through the fittings. When we heard of this potential problem, we immediately advised everyone in the September, 1995 newsletter to cease flight operations until replacing the quick disconnects. Additionally, the FAA Inspector stated: ...The aircraft owner stated that he had contacted Aero Designs about the quick-disconnect O-ring problem....The owner did request replacement fittings from the manufacturer, which had not been received as of October 9, [1995]. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N95RK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N95RK-1996-05-08), registration cancelled 1996-05-08, S/N 383 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: KELOSKY PULSAR XP - Registry model: [Kelosky Rudy PULSAR XP](https://openairdocs.org/model/kelosky-rudy-pulsar-xp) (registry code 05626HX) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 383 - Airframe hours: 3 - Engines: ROTAX 912 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Rudy L. Kelosky - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 8G7 - Airport: 8G7, Zelienople Municipal, runway 35, 4,102 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 156 total, 81 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19951009032069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951009032069A), Oct 9, 1995: Amtr PULSAR, Zelienople, PA, Substantial damage. Lifted on hispeed taxi test. Continued. Lost power on climb. Hit wires. Left fuel disconnect fitting partly blocked 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.