# NTSB WPR10LA202: Costruzioni AeronauticheTecnam P2002 Sierra, N797TS, Tooele, UT, April 10, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 10, 2010, 17:35 local (23:35 UTC) - Place: Tooele, UT - Coordinates: 40.612499, -112.35083 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6125&lon=-112.3508&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 13, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, Rotax Aircraft Engines - NTSB case key (mKey): 75737 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10LA202 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75737/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75737 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA202 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2002 SIERRA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=0600006), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2002 SIERRA, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=0600006), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2002 SIERRA, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=0600006), [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: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2002 SIERRA, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=0600006), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2002 SIERRA, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0600006), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot turned onto the final approach leg for landing, and the engine lost power completely. The pilot attempted to restart the engine, but he was not successful. Because the pilot had extended his downwind leg in the traffic pattern for an inbound airplane, he was not able to glide all the way to the airport. As the airplane descended into the underlying terrain, it impacted a fence, substantially damaging the wings. Airplane recovery personnel observed fuel in the tanks and fuel lines. The airplane was subsequently examined, and no evidence of any airworthiness anomalies was noted. The engine was successfully test run, and no evidence of any mechanical malfunction was found. While the airplane was operating in conditions conducive to carburetor icing at glide power at the time of the accident, the investigation was unable to determine if carburetor ice caused the power loss.The reason for the engine’s power loss was not determined. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On April 10, 2010, about 1735 mountain daylight time, a Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam P2002 Sierra, N797TS, lost all engine power on final approach to the Bolinder Field-Tooele Valley Airport, Tooele, Utah. During the private pilot's forced landing, the airplane collided with a fence several hundred feet short of runway 35. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the pilot was not injured. The light sport airplane was registered to Northvale Properties, LLC, Salt Lake City, Utah, and it was operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight. The flight was performed under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, and it originated from Salt Lake City about 1710. The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that he had performed a preflight inspection of his airplane before departing on the accident flight. Initially during the 25-minute-long accident flight, no anomalies were noted. As the pilot approached his destination (uncontrolled) airport he had to extend the downwind leg portion of the traffic pattern because of inbound traffic. The pilot stated that he performed the before-landing check list, which included turning on the electric fuel pump. The pilot further reported to the Safety Board investigator that when he joined the final approach leg of the traffic pattern, all engine power was suddenly lost. Although he retracted the wing flaps and attained the best glide airspeed, the airplane was too far from the runway to successfully glide there. During the glide, he attempted to restart the engine, but he was not successful. Both of the fuel tank selectors were in the "on" position when the engine lost all power. After a few seconds, engine power was restored, but then all power was again lost. Thereafter, he concentrated on making a forced landing on the underlying terrain. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted rough terrain and fence poles, which punctured the lower leading edge of both wings and breached the fuel tanks. The pilot stated that he turned off the master electric switch, repositioned the fuel tank selectors to the off position, and exited the airplane. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The National Transportation Safety Board investigator interviewed the pilot on April 29 and May 4, 2010. During the interviews, the pilot stated that he had learned to fly in the accident airplane. He had flown the airplane for a total of 277 hours. During the preceding 90 days, the pilot had flown the airplane about 4 hours. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The special light sport airplane was manufactured in 2007. It was equipped with two, integral, wing fuel tanks. Fuel is pumped to the airplane’s 100 horsepower Rotax 912ULS engine via electric and engine driven fuel pumps. The engine consumes between 4.5 and 5.0 gallons per hour during normal cruise flight. By the accident date, it had accumulated a totalairframe, engine, and propeller time of about 394 hours. As indicated in the airplane's maintenance logbooks, its last 12-month condition/100-hour inspection was completed on January 15, 2010, at a total time of 390 hours, which was about 4 hours prior to the accident. A review of the maintenance logbooks and manufacturer bulletins revealed no outstanding items. The pilot did not report any airplane system or engine-related outstanding squawks. TESTS AND RESEARCH Airplane operation records indicate that on January 18, 2010, about 21 gallons of fuel were added to the airplane, which filled its fuel tanks. At refueling, the Hobbs meter indicated the airplane’s total time was 392.19 hours. Thereafter, the airplane flew one or two more times before the pilot departed on the accident flight. The records do not indicate that any additional fuel was placed in the airplane prior to the accident flight. Airplane recovery personnel reported to the Safety Board investigator that they observed fuel in the airplane’s wing tanks and in wing-to-engine fuel lines. The gascolator was found broken off and was impact damaged. The airplane was recovered from the accident site, and the airframe and engine were examined by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector. The FAA inspector reported that, at the time of the accident, the Hobbs meter registered 394 hours. The Safety Board investigator calculates that the engine had been operated about 2 hours since the airplane was last refueled, and it had consumed a maximum of 10 gallons of fuel. Accordingly, when the accident occurred, the airplane’s fuel tanks would have contained an estimated 16 gallons of fuel. According to the pilot, upon departure for the 1/2-hour-long accident flight, the airplane contained about 8 gallons of fuel in its left tank, and about 7 gallons of fuel in its right tank, for a total of about 15 gallons. The fuel gauges appeared to accurately indicate that the fuel tanks were each about 1/2 full. The airplane operator's handbook indicates that each fuel tank holds a maximum of 13.2 gallons of fuel, for a total of 26.4 gallons. Of this fuel quantity, 26.15 gallons is usable. Under the FAA inspector’s supervision, the engine was plumbed to an auxiliary fuel source, which was routed to the airplane’s electric fuel pump. The engine was started and stopped three times. While running, no leaks were observed, and the throttle and magnetos were functionally checked. The engine appeared to operate normally. Following the FAA inspector’s examination of the airplane, he reported finding no evidence of any airworthiness issues that would preclude the airplane from operating normally. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N797TS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N797TS-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 243, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Costruzioni AeronauticheTecnam P2002 SIERRA - Registry model: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2002 SIERRA](https://openairdocs.org/model/costruzioni-aeronautiche-tecna-p2002-sierra) (registry code 0600006) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912UL2](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912ul2) (registry code 55574, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 243 - Airframe hours: 396 - Engines: ROTAX 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 15, 2010, 6 hours before - Departed: SLC, Salt Lake City, UT - Destination: TVY, Tooele, UT - Airport: TVY, Bolinder-Tooele Valley, runway 35, 6,100 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 8, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 465 total, 277 in this make and model, 182 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 8 knots, gusting 12 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 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 20100410033149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100410033149A), Apr 10, 2010: Costruzioni P2002 SIERR, Erda, UT, Substantial damage. While on extended final due to another aircraft ahead, the engine quit. The engine was restarted, but immediatley quit. The pilots attention was at this point… ## Docket (9 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 2, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75737. 3.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 548 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355925&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Statement - McRae (item 2, .PDF, 16 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355926&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Statement%20-%20McRae-Master.PDF - FAA Statement - Rushton (item 3, .PDF, 29 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356206&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Statement%20-%20Rushton-Redacted.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 4, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355927&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF - Aircraft Flight and Fuel Log (item 5, .PDF, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356209&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aircraft%20Flight%20and%20Fuel%20Log-Redacted.PDF - Aircraft Logbook (Extract) (item 6, .PDF, 165 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356210&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aircraft%20Logbook%20(Extract)-Redacted.PDF - Engine Logbook (Extract) (item 7, .PDF, 161 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356211&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20Logbook%20(Extract)-Redacted.PDF - Propeller Logbook (Extract) (item 8, .PDF, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356212&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Propeller%20Logbook%20(Extract)-Redacted.PDF - Tecnam Flight Manual (Extract) (item 9, .PDF, 179 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356213&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Tecnam%20Flight%20Manual%20(Extract)-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.