# NTSB WPR15LA029: Henry Steven J Just Acft Superstol, N682SC, Murphy, ID, October 28, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 28, 2014, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Murphy, ID - Coordinates: 43.216388, -116.548889 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2164&lon=-116.5489&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 December 18, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 90320 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR15LA029 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90320/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90320 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA029 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to properly manage the fuel supply, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Henry Steven J JUST ACFT SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=05632ND), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Henry Steven J JUST ACFT SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=05632ND), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Henry Steven J JUST ACFT SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=05632ND), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Henry Steven J JUST ACFT SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05632ND), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Henry Steven J JUST ACFT SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05632ND), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot reported that, during takeoff, at an altitude about 100-200 ft above ground level, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot checked the fuel pumps and lowered the nose to initiate a forced landing on a dirt road next to the runway. During the landing roll, the airplane collided with a fence and nosed over. After the airplane was recovered, the pilot reported that the fuel selector was set to an empty fuel tank. The loss of engine power was likely due to fuel starvation. The pilot further stated that he observed no mechanical deficiencies during his postaccident repairs of the airframe and engine. ## Factual narrative On October 28, 2014, about 1430 mountain standard time, an experimental-Steven J. Henry, Just Aircraft Superstol, N682SC, experienced a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff from the Murphy airport, Murphy, Idaho. The pilot initiated a forced landing on a dirt road where during the landing roll, the airplane collided with a fence and nosed over. The owner/pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot, and passenger were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the tail and fuselage. The local personal flight was departing with a planned destination of Nampa, Idaho. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. In a written statement, the pilot reported that the start-up procedures were normal, and the takeoff was into the wind. About 100 to 200 feet above ground level, the engine lost power. The pilot checked the fuel pumps, lowered the nose and initiated a landing to a dirt road next to the runway. During the landing roll, the airplane collided with a fence and nosed over. The pilot initially reported to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that he believed the loss of power was due to an engine malfunction or fuel contamination. A few days later, after the airplane was returned to his home base, the pilot reported that after examination of the airplane he believed the loss of engine power was a result of the fuel selector set to an empty fuel tank. He further stated he did not believe the loss of engine power had anything to do with an engine malfunction or fuel contamination. During a follow-up conversation with the pilot, he reported that he had repaired the airplane and returned it to flying status and found no issues with the engine or the fuel system. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N682SC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N682SC), registered now, S/N JA287-02-13, built 2013 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HENRY STEVEN J JUST ACFT SUPERSTOL - Registry model: [Henry Steven J JUST ACFT SUPERSTOL](https://openairdocs.org/model/henry-steven-j-just-acft-superstol) (registry code 05632ND) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912-series) (registry code 55569, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: JA287-02-13 - Year built: 2013 - Airframe hours: 429.7 - Engines: Rotax 912 130 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 31, 2014 - Departed: 1U3, Murphy, ID - Destination: MAN, NAMPA, ID - Airport: 1U3, Murphy, runway 12, 2,500 × 45 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,000 total, 429 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: KBOI, 25 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 20141028019119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20141028019119A), Oct 28, 2014: Henry Steven J JUST ACFT SUPERSTOL, Murphy, ID, Substantial damage. Shortly after takeoff and at an altitude of approximately 100 feet AGL, the engine lost power. The pilot performed an emergency landing. During the emergency… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 22, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90320. 2.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458346&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Statement from Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 45 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458347&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Statement%20from%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation- Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 315 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458348&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-%20Pilot-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.