# NTSB NYC96LA019: Pezold Lancair IV-P, N960JP, Somerset, PA, October 27, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 27, 1995, 11:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Somerset, PA
- Coordinates: 40.00019, -79.070671 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0002&lon=-79.0707&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39119
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC96LA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39119/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96LA019

## Probable cause

failure of the fuel pump driveshaft, which resulted in fuel starvation and 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, go-around (vfr)
  - fuel system,pump - failure (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, emergency landing
  - object - wire,transmission
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

The airplane was on its maiden flight. The pilot made an approach to runway 24, then initiated a go-around. As he attempted a climb-out, the engine lost power. The pilot then lowered the nose and maneuvered the airplane for a forced landing. However, during the landing, the airplane collided with a power line and trees. An examination of the airplane revealed a failure of the fuel pump driveshaft.

## Factual narrative

On October 27, 1995, about 1145 eastern daylight time, a Pezold Lancair IV-P, N960JP, a homebuilt experimental airplane, was destroyed, when it collided with trees, during a forced landing following a go-around at the Somerset County Airport, Somerset, Pennsylvania. The private pilot was seriously injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight.  There was no flight plan filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, this was the first flight for the airplane.  The pilot was conducting an approach to runway 24, a 4697 foot long and 75 foot wide runway.  The pilot abandoned the approach and performed a go-around, during which the airplane collided with a power line and trees.

The pilot stated, "Engine spooled down on go-around.  Nose lowered to maintain airspeed.  Slight turn to pick landing site.  Crashed in wooded area.

The FAA Inspector stated:

A continuity check of the aircraft and engine controls      revealed no abnormalities.  Subsequent inspection of      the engine revealed a failure of the fuel pump drive      which would explain the reported power loss.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N960JP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N960JP-1997-03-25), registration cancelled 1997-03-25, S/N 087 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PEZOLD LANCAIR IV-P (LANCAIR IV)
- Registry model: [Pezold John D LANCAIR IV-P](https://openairdocs.org/model/pezold-john-d-lancair-iv-p) (registry code 05628A7) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 087
- Engines: Garrett TPE-331-6 774 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: John  A Dramesi
- Registered owner: Fred H Berkey
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 2G9
- Airport: 2G9, Somerset County, runway 24, 4,697 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,900 total, 1 in this make and model, 4,900 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 17 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 7 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: 2G9

## 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 19951027049679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951027049679A), Oct 27, 1995: Amtr LANCAIRIVP, Friedens, PA, Destroyed. (-16) Engine lost power for unknown reason.

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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