# NTSB WPR09CA090: Mulec Frank A FP-404, N81633, Hilo, HI, January 18, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 18, 2009, 07:10 local (17:10 UTC) - Place: Hilo, HI - Coordinates: 19.716667, -155.050003 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=19.7167&lon=-155.0500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 15, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73249 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA090 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73249/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA090 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of a clogged fuel filter. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system: fuel filter-strainer](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Mulec Frank A FP-404, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821/cases.md?model=05628EQ), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Mulec Frank A FP-404, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=05628EQ), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191); cases with it: [Mulec Frank A FP-404, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=05628EQ), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Mulec Frank A FP-404, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05628EQ), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Mulec Frank A FP-404, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05628EQ), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Mulec Frank A FP-404, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05628EQ), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, during cruise flight in his experimental, amateur-built airplane, the engine suddenly lost all power and the propeller stopped rotating. The pilot attempted to restart the engine by diving the airplane, but he was not successful. The pilot made a forced landing in a clearing near a drag strip. The airplane touched down hard and, during roll out, collided with two chain link fences, breaking the biplane's left wings. During the subsequent examination of the airplane, the pilot reported observing a clogged main line fuel filter. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, during cruise flight in his experimental, amateur built airplane, the Hummel 2180 cc engine suddenly lost all power and the propeller stopped rotating. The pilot attempted to restart the engine by diving the airplane, but he was not successful. The pilot made a forced landing in a clearing near a drag strip. The airplane touched down hard and during roll out, collided with two chain link fences, breaking the biplane's left wings. During the subsequent examination of the airplane, the pilot reported observing a clogged main line fuel filter. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N81633](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N81633), registered now, S/N 01, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MULEC FRANK A FP-404 - Registry model: [Mulec Frank A FP-404](https://openairdocs.org/model/mulec-frank-a-fp-404) (registry code 05628EQ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 01 - Airframe hours: 81 - Engines: Hummel WW 2180 cc 76 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2008 - Departed: ITO, Hilo, HI - Destination: ITO, Hilo, HI - Airport: ITO, Hilo International ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 79; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 21, 2007; seat: single; flight hours: 2,000 total, 49 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: ITO, 2 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 20090118002409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090118002409A), Jan 18, 2009: Mulec FP404, Hilo, HI, Substantial damage. Pilot departed the Hilo int’l airport (pito) and flew toward his regular practice area south of Hilo. At 2500 feet approximately, the pilot stated that the… 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.