# NTSB WPR17LA110: Johnson Glastar, N4579J, Concord, CA, May 26, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 26, 2017, 14:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Concord, CA - Coordinates: 37.98722, -122.054168 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9872&lon=-122.0542&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern base: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 25, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 95244 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR17LA110 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95244/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95244 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA110 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence. ## 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: [Johnson John C GLASTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05631ED), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: pole](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Johnson John C GLASTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md?model=05631ED), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/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 base: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Johnson John C GLASTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05631ED), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern base: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Johnson John C GLASTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05631ED), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Johnson John C GLASTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05631ED), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to practice landings. The takeoff was uneventful, but when the airplane was on the base leg, the engine suddenly quit without warning or making any abnormal noises. The pilot attempted to restart the engine several times without success. He initiated a forced landing onto a roadway, during which the left wing impacted a light pole. The nosewheel collapsed, and the airplane then crossed an intersection and slid to a rest. Postaccident engine examination revealed that the carburetor was fracture-separated at the attachment flange, and the air box exhibited heavy impact damage. The carburetor was disassembled, and the needle valve and floats were observed stuck in the "up" position. Slight force was applied to the float assembly, and it moved freely. No contaminants or obvious bends in the float system were found. Although a stuck needle valve can restrict fuel from entering the carburetor bowl and lead to a loss of engine failure, impact damage precluded a determination of whether the needle was stuck before the accident or during the impact sequence. No other mechanical anomalies were found with the engine that would have precluded normal operation; therefore, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On May 26, 2017, about 1445 Pacific daylight time, a Johnson Glastar airplane, N4579J, experienced a total loss of engine power while in the traffic pattern for Buchanan Field Airport (CCR), Concord, California. The student pilot, sole occupant, sustained minor injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, the pilot as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The flight originated from CCR about 1443. The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to practice landings. The pilot took off uneventfully and flew the traffic pattern. When on the base leg, the engine suddenly quit without warning or any abnormal noises. He attempted to restart the engine several times, but to no avail. The pilot initiated a forced landing onto a roadway; during landing, the airplane's left wing impacted a light pole. The airplane traversed across an intersection when the nosewheel collapsed and the airplane slid to a rest. During a postaccident engine examination, the spark plugs were removed and exhibited normal operating signatures when compared to the Champion "check-a-plug" chart. The engine was boroscoped and no internal abnormalities were noted. The engine was rotated by hand and continuity was established all the way through to the accessory section. Thumb compression was established on all cylinders, and the valves moved freely and evenly. The magnetos were operationally tested and both produced spark. Air was blown through the fuel lines and they were clear of debris. The carburetor was fracture separated at the attachment flange and the air box sustained heavy damage. The carburetor was removed and disassembled; the fuel screen was clear of debris, and the carburetor bowl was empty. It was noted that the needle valve and floats were stuck in the up position. Slight force was applied to the float assembly and it moved freely; there were no contaminates or obvious bends in the float system. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4579J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4579J), registered now, S/N 5819, built 2012 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: JOHNSON Glastar - Registry model: [Johnson John C GLASTAR](https://openairdocs.org/model/johnson-john-c-glastar) (registry code 05631ED) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-series) (registry code 42389, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 5819 - Year built: 2012 - Airframe hours: 206 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 17, 2017, 12 hours before - Departed: CCR, Concord, CA - Destination: CCR, Concord, CA - Airport: CCR, Buchanan Field Airport, runway 19R, 5,001 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 202 total, 161 in this make and model, 54 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 14 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,900 ft broken - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: CCR, 1 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 20170526006659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170526006659A), May 26, 2017: Johnson John C GLASTAR, Concord, CA, Substantial damage. Concord, CA (ccr) Aircraft N4579J, Glastar crashed short of runway 19R landing off-airport in an intersection. Engine quit. The pilot suffered only minor… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 1, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95244. 2.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 613 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457579&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Engine Examination Observations - Courtesy of the FAA (item 2, .PDF, 13 photos, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457580&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20Examination%20Observations%20-%20Courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Mechanic (item 3, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457581&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Mechanic-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 4, .PDF, 132 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457582&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-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.