# NTSB WPR11LA180: William Wright Avid Flyer, N613HH, Cedar City, UT, April 1, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 1, 2011, 10:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Cedar City, UT - Coordinates: 37.783611, -113.152778 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7836&lon=-113.1528&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 31, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 78733 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11LA180 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78733/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78733 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA180 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power during initial climb for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal a specific anomaly that would have precluded normal operation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Wright William V AVID FLYER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05620SA), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Wright William V AVID FLYER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=05620SA), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Fuel system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Design; cases with it: [Wright William V AVID FLYER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md?model=05620SA), [All aircraft, 181 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md) - [Maintenance: modification/alteration](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Owner/builder; cases with it: [Wright William V AVID FLYER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062030/cases.md?model=05620SA), [All aircraft, 69 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Wright William V AVID FLYER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05620SA), [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: [Wright William V AVID FLYER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05620SA), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120); cases with it: [Wright William V AVID FLYER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=05620SA), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was on a local test flight after restoring the airplane and flew for about 1 hour, performing maneuvers and touch-and-go landings. He then returned to the airport and picked up another pilot for a familiarization flight. About 1/2 hour into the second flight, the engine sputtered and lost power. The pilot subsequently made an emergency landing on an airstrip, and after performing some troubleshooting, he determined that fuel was not getting from the header tank to the engine. The pilot was able to eventually get the fuel flowing again and ran the engine for about 30 minutes on the ground, followed by accomplishing a successful run up. The pilot then departed the airstrip. He reported that the engine ran well until about 200 feet above ground level. The engine then lost all power, and the pilot glided the airplane into 15-foot-tall trees. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed modifications to the exhaust, intake, ignition, and fuel systems that were not approved by the manufacturer. At the conclusion of the examination, it could not be determined if there was a specific malfunction or a combination of the multiple modifications that led to the loss of engine power. According to FAA Advisory Circular AC 20-27F, Certification and Operation of Amateur-Built Aircraft, "Amateur builders are free to develop their own designs or build from existing designs.” ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On April 1, 2011, about 1045 mountain daylight time, a William Wright Avid Flyer, N613HH, collided with trees during an off airport forced landing following a loss of engine power on takeoff from a strip near Cedar City, Utah. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The private pilot was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings from impact forces. The local personal flight was departing with a planned destination of Cedar City. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot stated that he departed Cedar City on a local test flight after restoring the airplane. He flew for approximately 1 hour, performing both maneuvers and touch-and-go takeoffs and landings. He returned to the airport, and picked up another pilot for a familiarization flight. About 1/2 hour into the second flight, the engine sputtered and lost power. The pilot made an emergency landing on a landing strip for radio remote controlled airplanes. He performed some troubleshooting, and determined that fuel was not getting from the header tank to the engine. He was successful in getting the fuel flowing again. He ran the engine for about 30 minutes on the ground, and performed a successful run up. The pilot decided to leave his passenger at the strip, and fly home alone. He planned to return by car to pick up the passenger. The pilot departed the strip, and reported that the engine ran well until about 200 feet above ground level (agl). The engine then lost all power, and he glided the airplane into 15-foot-tall trees. He was wearing a three-point harness; the full extent of his injuries included bruises along the strap lines. WRECKAGE EXAMINATION On April 19, 2011, inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) supervised examination of the airplane by personnel from Rotech Flight Safety, Inc., who were technical advisers to the Austrian accredited representative per International Civil Aviation Organization Annex 13. The complete Rotech report is part of the public docket; pertinent parts of the report follow. During the visual inspection, the investigators noted modifications to the exhaust system for incorporation of cabin heat by shrouding the exhaust muffler, and ducting into the cabin. They also observed that the exhaust gas temperature (EGT) probes had been relocated from the factory recommended positions, and the previous holes plugged with pop rivets. The installation manual noted that EGT would give the most rapid response in the event of improper mixture, pre-ignition, or detonation. The investigators observed an aftermarket mixture control installed on the engine, which also included modifications to the fuel and air intake systems. The Rotax installation manual stated that no modification should be made to the carburetor and air intake system without consulting Rotax. The system installed did not havetheir approval. The engine had dual carburetors installed. Both carburetors had jets that were different from the stock jets with leaner fuel to air ratios than the stock jets. Both jets were different from each other. According to the Rotech representative, in order for the engine to run properly, both carburetors must be synchronized to each other, and are required to have the exact same jetting. The fuel filters were installed in the incorrect location on the fuel system. The installation manual called for the filters to be between the fuel pump and the carburetors. On the accident engine, they were installed between the fuel pump and the fuel tank. The carburetor vent lines were improperly installed. The fuel pump was installed improperly to the top of the engine. The installation manual stated to mount it in a cool place, not on the engine itself. The spark plugs were nonstandard. The electrodes were excessively black and sooty, which the investigators noted was consistent with a rich fuel/air mixture. Examination of the ignition wires revealed that exposed bare wires had been spliced and soldered together, which had the potential of shorting. Solder was not an acceptable repair method, and the wire was in poor shape. Improper gear oil had been used to lubricate the Rotary and water pump drive shaft rather than 2-stroke injection oil as specified by the manufacturer. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION According to FAA Advisory Circular AC 20-27F, Certification and Operation of Amateur-Built Aircraft, "Amateur builders are free to develop their own designs or build from existing designs. We do not approve these designs and it would be impractical to develop design standards for the wide variety of design configurations, created by designers, kit manufacturers, and amateur builders." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N613HH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N613HH), registered now, S/N 613 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: William Wright Avid Flyer - Registry model: [Wright William V AVID FLYER](https://openairdocs.org/model/wright-william-v-avid-flyer) (registry code 05620SA) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 613 - Engines: Rotax 582UL 66 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Color Country Electronics - Registered owner: Color Country Electronics - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: Cedar City, UT - Destination: CDC, Cedar City, UT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 285 total, 6 in this make and model, 215 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: KCDC, 5 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 20110401004379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110401004379A), Apr 1, 2011: Wright William V AVID FLYER, Cedar City, UT, Substantial damage. Rough engine precautionary landing. Examined thoroughly, including 15-20 minutes of ground runups. Took off, climbed to 200' AGL and engine quit. Landed… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 29, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78733. 6.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346450&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Rotech Exam Report (item 2, .PDF, 5.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40382116&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Rotech%20Exam%20Report-Redacted.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.