# NTSB SEA94LA143: Wray KR-2, N786RW, Puyallup, WA, May 28, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 28, 1994, 08:13 local (15:13 UTC)
- Place: Puyallup, WA
- Coordinates: 47.299163, -122.369216 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2992&lon=-122.3692&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 April 25, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41946
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA143
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41946/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA143

## Probable cause

AN IMPROPERLY FUNCTIONING FUEL BOOST PUMP.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,electric boost pump - failure,partial (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT ELECTED TO TAKE OFF DURING HIGH SPEED TAXI RUNS AFTER ENCOUNTERING CONTROL DIFFICULTIES. HE ADDED POWER, BUT DID NOT ADD FULL POWER.  WHEN HE NOTED HIS SLOW AIRSPEED, HE ADDED FULL POWER AND THE ENGINE SPUTTERED. THE AIRCRAFT MUSHED, THEN STALLED AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN BEFORE POWER COULD BE REGAINED. LATER TESTING REVEALED THAT THE ELECTRIC BOOST PUMP WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AND INSUFFICIENT FUEL FLOW WAS AVAILABLE AT HIGHER POWER SETTINGS.

## Factual narrative

On May 28, 1994, at 0813 Pacific daylight time (PDT), an experimental Wray KR-2, N786RW, impacted terrain after takeoff at Thun Field, Puyallup, Washington.  The private pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, was uninjured and the aircraft sustained substantial damage.  The test flight was conducted in visual meteorological conditions.  There was no flight plan filed and the ELT was shut off at the site.

The pilot was conducting slow and high-speed taxi testing of the aircraft, with the intent to add power and take off if he encountered difficulties during the test runs.  During a high- speed run, he had oscillations about the pitch axis, followed by the aircraft heading toward the left edge of the runway.  The pilot reported that he elected to add power and take off.  After takeoff he realized that he was just above stall speed at 75% power.  He reported pushing in full throttle and the engine sputtered to a low idle.  The pilot stated that the aircraft mushed, slowed, then broke quickly, rolling to the left before impacting the terrain.

Later testing by the owner/manufacturer of the aircraft determined that the electric boost pump was not functioning properly, and insufficient fuel flow was available at higher power settings.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N786RW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N786RW-2013-07-08), registration cancelled 2013-07-08, S/N 7660, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WRAY KR-2
- Registry model: [Wray Rickey L KR-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/wray-rickey-l-kr-2) (registry code 056483B) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 7660
- Airframe hours: 1
- Engines: Great Plains TYPE 1 78 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wray, Rick L.
- Registered owner: Wray, Rick L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 12, 1994, 1 hours before
- Airport: 1S0, Thun Field, runway 16, 3,650 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 115 total, 67 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft overcast

## 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 19940528012919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940528012919A), May 28, 1994: Amtr KR2, Puyallup, WA, Substantial damage. Elected takeoff during high speed taxi test. Engine failed full power. Stalled end runway. Defective boost pump.

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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