# NTSB WPR12LA009: Spink Robert M Pietenpol Aircamper, N762S, San Rafael, CA, October 13, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 13, 2011, 16:15 local (23:15 UTC) - Place: San Rafael, CA - Coordinates: 38.016944, -122.520835 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0169&lon=-122.5208&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 May 15, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 82058 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12LA009 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82058/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82058 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA009 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power during the takeoff climb due to fuel starvation, which resulted from the incorrect installation location of the fuel tank supply line screen that allowed debris to partially block the fuel supply line. ## 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 · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Spink Robert M PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821/cases.md?model=704031F), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Other (probable cause); cases with it: [Spink Robert M PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=704031F), [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. - [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Spink Robert M PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=704031F), [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: [Spink Robert M PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=704031F), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Spink Robert M PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=704031F), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis During the takeoff climb, the engine lost all power. The pilot began troubleshooting steps but was unable to increase the engine power and subsequently performed a forced landing into a marsh. Postaccident examination revealed that the fuel tank supply line screen had been installed at the fuel sump outlet instead of the fuel line outlet, which allowed unfiltered fuel to flow to the carburetor. An elbow fitting in the fuel supply line was partially occluded with plastic fragments and residential pipe sealant tape. Although fuel was found in the gascolator, the high-wing fuel tank design was such that the gascolator most likely filled with fuel via the partially blocked line after the accident. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On October 13, 2011, about 1615 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Pietenpol Aircamper, N762S, force landed after a loss of engine power during takeoff from San Rafael Airport, San Rafael, California. The pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The student sport pilot, sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The local flight departed San Rafael at 1614. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. Prior to departure, the pilot performed an uneventful carburetor heat and magneto check. He intended to perform practice touch-and-go landings, and during the takeoff climb, the engine speed reduced to idle. He cycled the throttle control, and the engine sputtered. After performing troubleshooting steps, he was unable to increase the engine power. As the airplane began to descend, the pilot maneuvered it under a set of power transmission lines, and performed a forced landing into a marsh. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lift struts and wings during the accident sequence. The airplane was of the high-wing parasol type, and was equipped with a Continental O-200 series engine, which was recently installed, and had accrued 23.5 flight hours since overhaul. The airplane was built in 1991, and purchased by the pilot in June 2011. A fire chief who responded to the accident site, reported that fuel was present in the fuel tank. The airplane was recovered, and an examination was performed by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector. Fuel was present in the gascolator, which was free of water. The engine controls were continuous from the cabin through to their respective engine fittings. The carburetor air induction system was free of obstructions; the magnetos were intact, and remained firmly attached to their mounting pads. Airplane disassembly revealed that the fuel tank screen had been installed over the fuel sump outlet, instead of the fuel line outlet. The elbow fitting below the fuel supply line was subsequently examined, and appeared to be partially occluded with debris. The fitting was examined by the NTSB investigator-in-charge, and contained two 1/4-inch-long epoxy-like fragments, and a wad of material similar in appearance to Teflon pipe sealing tape. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N762S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N762S), registered now, S/N 1691, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SPINK ROBERT M PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER - Registry model: [Spink Robert M PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER](https://openairdocs.org/model/spink-robert-m-pietenpol-aircamper) (registry code 704031F) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1691 - Airframe hours: 271.73 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-200 SERIES 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 21, 2011, 23.5 hours before - Departed: CA35, San Rafael, CA - Destination: CA35, San Rafael, CA - Airport: CA35, San Rafael, runway 04, 2,140 × 30 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 65; injuries: none; student; medical: sport pilot; seat: rear; flight hours: 107 total, 81 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,800 ft broken - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: KDVO, 8 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 20111013023219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111013023219A), Oct 13, 2011: Spink Robert M PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER, San Rafael, CA, Substantial damage. At 70 ft AGL, during take-off climb, aircraft engine lost power. Pilot performed emergency landing into marsh. ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 6, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82058. 3.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 461 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356761&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 – Fuel Tank Outlets. Photo Provided By Airplane Owner (item 2, .PDF, 349 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365004&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Fuel%20Tank%20Outlets.%20Photo%20Provided%20By%20Airplane%20Owner-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Fuel Tank Supply Outlet. Photo Provided By Airplane Owner (item 3, .PDF, 304 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365005&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Fuel%20Tank%20Supply%20Outlet.%20Photo%20Provided%20By%20Airplane%20Owner-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - Fuel Tank Sump Outlet. Photo Provided By Airplane Owner (item 4, .PDF, 309 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365006&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Fuel%20Tank%20Sump%20Outlet.%20Photo%20Provided%20By%20Airplane%20Owner-Master.PDF - Photo 4 – Debris Inside Fuel Supply Elbow (item 5, .PDF, 693 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365007&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20%E2%80%93%20Debris%20Inside%20Fuel%20Supply%20Elbow-Master.PDF - Photo 5 – Debris Removed From Fuel Supply Elbow (item 6, .PDF, 691 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365008&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205%20%E2%80%93%20Debris%20Removed%20From%20Fuel%20Supply%20Elbow-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 7, .PDF, 74 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365009&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Evidence Control Form (item 8, .PDF, 136 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365042&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Evidence%20Control%20Form-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.