# NTSB WPR10LA316: McGlashan T-51 Mustang, N751RM, Columbia, CA, June 27, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 27, 2010, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Columbia, CA - Coordinates: 37.999721, -120.459999 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9997&lon=-120.4600&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 18, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 76446 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10LA316 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76446/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76446 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA316 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power during approach due to thermal damage to the engine's electronic ignition module. Contributing to the accident was the builder’s placement of the ignition module near the engine’s exhaust. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Ignition system: ignition power supply](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057410): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Mcglashan Richard T-51, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057410/cases.md?model=05629D8), [All aircraft, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057410/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Owner/builder (probable cause); cases with it: [Mcglashan Richard T-51, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=05629D8), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/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 downwind: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Mcglashan Richard T-51, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05629D8), [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: [Mcglashan Richard T-51, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05629D8), [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: [Mcglashan Richard T-51, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05629D8), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The experimental amateur-built airplane had been airborne for approximately 30 minutes on its inaugural flight when the engine stopped producing power. The pilot subsequently performed a forced landing to a field, and during the landing the main landing gear separated from the fuselage, causing the fuselage to wrinkle and bend. Postaccident examination of the engine's electronic ignition module revealed that it was partially melted. The electronic module had been mounted approximately 5 inches from the engine's exhaust pipe due to lack of clearance between the top of the engine and its cowling. The installation manual for the module states that the maximum ambient temperature for the electronic module is 175 degrees Fahrenheit. ## Factual narrative On June 27, 2010, about 0900 Pacific daylight time, a McGlashan T-51 Mustang experimental amateur-built airplane, N751RM, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power while maneuvering near Columbia, California. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The owner/pilot/builder was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, which departed Pine Mountain Lake Airport, Groveland, California, approximately 30 minutes before the accident. The pilot said that this was the inaugural flight of the airplane. While approaching Columbia Airport for landing, the engine stopped producing power, and he performed a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the main landing gear separated from the fuselage, and the fuselage was wrinkled and bent. Postaccident examination of the engine's electronic ignition module by the pilot revealed that it was partially melted. He reported that the electronic module had been mounted approximately 5 inches from the engine's exhaust pipe due to lack of clearance between the top of the engine and its cowling. The installation manual for the module states that the maximum ambient temperature for the electronic module is 175 degrees Fahrenheit. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N751RM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N751RM-2018-01-26), registration cancelled 2018-01-26, S/N MLS08912SOHK0137, built 2009 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: McGlashan T-51 Mustang - Registry model: [Mcglashan Richard T-51](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcglashan-richard-t-51) (registry code 05629D8) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: MLS08912SOHK0137 - Airframe hours: 1 - Engines: Rotax 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Richard L. McGlashan - Registered owner: Richard L. McGlashan - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, June 23, 2010, 1 hours before - Departed: E45, Groveland, CA - Destination: O22, Columbia, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review January 26, 2010; seat: front; flight hours: 1,250 total, 3 in this make and model, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.80 inHg - Observed at: MOD, 32 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 20100627036309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100627036309A), Jun 27, 2010: Titan T-51, Columbia, CA, Substantial damage. While on downwind leg of approach to Columbia Airport O22, approximately 3 miles out, at about 800 feet AGL the engine quit. Pilot landed in a field. The right… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 7, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76446. 676 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 485 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347912&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation With Owner/Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347913&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20With%20Owner%2FPilot-Master.PDF - Installation Manual - Elecronic Modules (item 3, .PDF, 139 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347916&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Installation%20Manual%20-%20Elecronic%20Modules-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.