# NTSB WPR09CA329: Nalis Glastar, N432P, Arlington, WA, July 5, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 4, 2009, 17:37 local (Jul 5, 2009, 00:37 UTC) - Place: Arlington, WA - Coordinates: 48.160556, -122.158889 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1606&lon=-122.1589&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 19, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 74206 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA329 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74206/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74206 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA329 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's failure to select the fullest tank prior to takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Nalis Peter Gintautas GLASTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=05610OJ), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Nalis Peter Gintautas GLASTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000/cases.md?model=05610OJ), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Nalis Peter Gintautas GLASTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=05610OJ), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Nalis Peter Gintautas GLASTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05610OJ), [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: [Nalis Peter Gintautas GLASTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05610OJ), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to practice touch-and-go landings. During the takeoff portion of a touch-and-go, about midway down the runway, the engine lost power. The pilot initiated a gentle left turn towards a vacant taxiway to initiate a forced landing. The pilot landed hard just short of the taxiway. The left wing was wrinkled, and the nose wheel and left main landing gear collapsed. The pilot stated that he had the incorrect fuel tank selected, and "the engine lost power due to fuel starvation." He also stated that prior to takeoff, one fuel tank had "little to no fuel" and "the other fuel tank was about half full." The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the engine or airframe prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to practice touch-and-go landings. During the takeoff portion of a touch-and-go, about midway down the runway, the engine lost power. The pilot initiated a gentle left turn towards a vacant taxiway to initiate a forced landing. The pilot landed hard just short of the taxiway. The left wing was wrinkled, and the nose wheel and left main landing gear collapsed. The pilot stated he had the incorrect fuel tank selected, and "the engine lost power due to fuel starvation." He also stated that prior to takeoff, one fuel tank had "little to no fuel" and "the other fuel tank was about half full." The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the engine or airframe prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N432P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N432P-2018-01-04), registration cancelled 2018-01-04, S/N 5386, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: NALIS GLASTAR - Registry model: [Nalis Peter Gintautas GLASTAR](https://openairdocs.org/model/nalis-peter-gintautas-glastar) (registry code 05610OJ) (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: 5386 - Airframe hours: 138 - Engines: AMA/EXPR Subaru 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Peter G. Nalis - Registered owner: Peter G. Nalis - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 20, 2009, 6 hours before - Departed: KAWO, Arlington, WA - Destination: KAWO, Arlington, WA - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: KAWO, Arlington Municipal Airport, runway 34, 5,332 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 200 total, 138 in this make and model, 200 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F ## 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 20090704012559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090704012559A), Jul 4, 2009: Amtr GLASTAR, Arlington, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) On July 4, 2009 N432P, [privacy data omitted] operated by [privacy data omitted] received substantial damage after a hard landing at the Arlington… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 19, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74206. 697 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 675 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317614&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation with the Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 22 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316648&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20the%20Pilot-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. --- 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.