# NTSB WPR14LA323: Rans S-16, N116GS, Fort Bridger, WY, August 1, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 1, 2014, 10:28 local (16:28 UTC) - Place: Fort Bridger, WY - Coordinates: 41.393333, -110.40583 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3933&lon=-110.4058&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 14, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Adminstration FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 89781 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14LA323 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89781/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89781 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA323 ## Probable cause The fuel flow divider inlet line’s B-nut coming loose during takeoff, resulting in a total loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to adequately tighten the B-nut during recent maintenance. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine fuel and control: fuel divider](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057324): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Spittler Gerald S-16 SHEKARI, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057324/cases.md?model=05611SE), [All aircraft, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057324/cases.md) - [Maintenance: repair](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Spittler Gerald S-16 SHEKARI, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062015/cases.md?model=05611SE), [All aircraft, 99 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Spittler Gerald S-16 SHEKARI, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05611SE), [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: [Spittler Gerald S-16 SHEKARI, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05611SE), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Spittler Gerald S-16 SHEKARI, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=05611SE), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis Shortly after takeoff, experimental amateur-built airplane's engine lost all power. The pilot/owner performed a forced landing onto a road, and, during the landing flare, the main landing gear caught the edge of the road and collapsed. The airplane struck a pit and sustained substantial damage. The pilot had recently reinstalled the engine's fuel servo following the servo's overhaul, and this was the first flight since the installation. Postaccident examination revealed that the fuel line's B-nut fitting connecting the fuel servo to the fuel flow divider was about 1 1/3 turns loose. It is likely that the pilot had either forgotten to tighten the fitting or had not applied sufficient torque during reinstallation of the servo. ## Factual narrative On August 1, 2014, at 1028 mountain daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Gerald Spittler (Rans Inc.) S-16 Shekari, N116GS, lost engine power following takeoff from Fort Bridger Airport, Fort Bridger, Wyoming. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a local flight. The private pilot and passenger were not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage during the forced landing. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported performing an uneventful preflight check and engine run-up. He taxied onto the runway and applied full engine throttle control, and the airplane accelerated appropriately. Having reached a speed of 65 mph about 1,500 feet down the runway, he initiated a climb to 30 feet above ground level (agl), remaining over the runway as the airplane accelerated. Having attained a speed of 100 mph, he applied aft elevator control and the airplane climbed to about 200 feet agl as he approached the end of the runway. Shortly thereafter, the engine began to hesitate, and then lose all power. With minimal altitude, the pilot elected to maintain the airplane's heading and land on a dirt road ahead. He confirmed the fuel boost pump was on, and applied full rich fuel mixture control with no change in power. Just prior to landing he changed course for a larger road, and during the landing flare the right main landing gear caught the edge of the road and collapsed. The airplane struck a pit and spun around, sustaining substantial damage to the left wing and aft fuselage. The pilot stated that the fuel servo had recently been overhauled due to a low fuel pressure problem. He reinstalled the unit himself following overhaul, and this was the first flight since. An airframe and powerplant mechanic examined the engine following the accident under the direction of the NTSB investigator-in-charge. Examination of the fuel inlet line, which connected the fuel servo to the fuel flow divider, revealed that it was approximately 1 1/3 turns loose at the 'B' nut fitting at the fuel flow divider. The mechanic did not observe any other anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N116GS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N116GS), registered now, S/N 1298009, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: RANS S-16 - Registry model: [Spittler Gerald S-16 SHEKARI](https://openairdocs.org/model/spittler-gerald-s-16-shekari) (registry code 05611SE) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1298009 - Year built: 2001 - Airframe hours: 203 - Engines: Lycoming IO-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, September 27, 2013, 32 hours before - Departed: FBR, Fort Bridger, WY - Destination: FBR, Fort Bridger, WY - Airport: FBR, Fort Bridger, runway 22, 6,404 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 5, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 147 total, 32 in this make and model, 147 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.39 inHg - Observed at: KBFR ## 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 20140801014829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140801014829A), Aug 1, 2014: Spittler Gerald S-16 SHEKARI, Fort Bridger, WY, Substantial damage. On August 1, 2014 at approximately 1000 hours MDT, N116GS an experimental amateur built Spittler Gerald S-16 shekari airplane was substantially damaged after… ## Other investigations on N116GS (1) 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. - [NTSB CHI06CA237](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06CA237), Aug 4, 2006: Spittler Rans S-16 (N116GS), Plattsmouth, NE, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation which resulted from a binding within the fuel servo. A factor associated with the accident was the high vegetation that was encountered during the forced… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 25, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89781. 5.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419443&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 97 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419444&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Mechanic (item 3, .PDF, 82 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419445&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Mechanic-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Airplane at Accident Site (item 4, .PDF, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419446&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Airplane%20at%20Accident%20Site-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.