# NTSB WPR19LA218: Extra EA300, N19AM, Mesa, AZ, August 14, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 14, 2019, 07:25 local (14:25 UTC) - Place: Mesa, AZ - Coordinates: 33.283332, -111.5736 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2833&lon=-111.5736&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-aerobatics: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Aviation Performance Solutions, Aeromotors LLC, Lycoming, FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100051 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR19LA218 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100051/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100051 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA218 ## Probable cause The flight instructor’s operation of the airplane outside of the manufacturer’s limitations, which resulted in fuel starvation and a partial loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was an inoperative electric fuel boost pump. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of policy/procedure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Extra Flugzeugbau EA 300/L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md?model=70218DG), [All aircraft, 191 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel distribution](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Extra Flugzeugbau EA 300/L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md?model=70218DG), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md) - [Engine fuel and control: fuel pump](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057314): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Inoperative; cases with it: [Extra Flugzeugbau EA 300/L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057314/cases.md?model=70218DG), [All aircraft, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057314/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Extra Flugzeugbau EA 300/L, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=70218DG), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-aerobatics: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Extra Flugzeugbau EA 300/L, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=70218DG), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-aerobatics: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340); cases with it: [Extra Flugzeugbau EA 300/L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=70218DG), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor and student pilot were maneuvering the airplane as part of an upset prevention and recovery training curriculum. The flight instructor reported that the airplane lost partial engine power as he completed a rolling maneuver demonstration. The flight instructor immediately switched the fuel selector valve from the WING tank position to the ACRO/CENTER (acrobatic) fuel tank position; however, he was unable to restore full engine power and subsequently made an off-airport landing during which the airplane sustained substantial damage. Postaccident onsite examination of the airplane revealed that the acro/center fuel tank contained approximately 13 gallons of avgas. The left-wing tank contained trace amounts of avgas and the right-wing tank contained approximately 6 gallons of avgas. Further examination of the airplane revealed that the electrically driven fuel boost pump, which the flight instructor reported was on during the accident flight, was inoperative. It would be used, in part, for emergencies and inflight restarts following an engine failure. The inoperative boost pump was removed and replaced with a segregate boost pump. The engine was then started and developed continuous power at varied throttle positions between idle to full power. The flight manual states that aerobatic maneuvers must be accomplished with the fuel selector in the ACRO/CENTER (acrobatic) fuel tank position. The accident sequence is consistent with a partial loss of engine power likely due to an interruption of fuel flow while the flight instructor was performing aerobic maneuvers with the fuel sector in the WING tank position. It is likely that the fuel unported from the wing tanks, which resulted in fuel starvation and a partial loss of engine power. The inoperative electric fuel boost pump contributed to the flight instructor's inability to restart the engine. ## Factual narrative On August 14, 2019, about 0725 mountain standard time, an Extra Flugzeugbau EA 300L airplane, N19AM, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Mesa, Arizona. The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction were not injured. The airplane was operated by Aviation Performance Solutions, LLC, as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The flight instructor reported that a loss of engine power occurred at an altitude of 6,700 ft above ground level just after he demonstrated a rolling maneuver as part of the Upset Prevention and Recovery Training profile. Immediately following the loss of power, the flight instructor switched the fuel selector valve from the WING position (wing fuel tanks) to the ACRO/CENTER (acrobatic) fuel tank position, the gauge for which was reading just below full, and turned the airplane toward Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport (KIWA). The flight instructor reported that based on cockpit indications, the engine was still developing partial power and he declared an emergency with KIWA tower. Approximately 4 minutes after the partial loss of engine power, and about 1 minute before touchdown, a further reduction in engine performance occurred, and the flight instructor noted a decrease in airspeed and increased descent rate. The flight instructor informed the tower of the situation. He confirmed that the emergency fuel boost pump was turned on. He subsequently made an off-airport landing, and the airplane impacted terrain in a nose-low attitude. The onsite wreckage examination was conducted by inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The inspectors reported, in part, that the airplane landed on rough, uneven desert terrain overlaid with heavy brush like vegetation. The main wing assembly sustained impact damage; however, the wing fuel tanks were intact and there was no evidence of fuel leakage. The airplane’s fuel system consisted of two separate and independent fuel sources that included interconnected wing tanks for normal operations and an acrobatic/center fuel tank in the fuselage. The wing fuel tank filler caps were secure and in place. The acro/center fuel tank filler cap was secure in place, and there was no evidence of fuel leakage from the center tank assembly. The acro/center fuel tank contained approximately 13 gallons of avgas. The left-wing tank contained trace amounts of avgas and the right-wing tank contained approximately 6 gallons of avgas. The airplane was recovered to a storage facility and on November 21, 2019, the airframe and engine were examined by representatives from the National Transportation Safety Board, FAA and Lycoming Engines. The examination showed nominal damage to the engine from the impact sequence, and it was determined that a functional engine test run could be accomplished. An external fuel source was mounted to the engine to facilitate the test run. Multiple attempts to start the engine to a sustained idle powersetting were unsuccessful. The airplane was equipped with a mechanical engine-driven fuel pump for normal operations, and an electrically driven fuel boost pump used, in part, for emergencies and inflight restarts following an engine failure. It was determined that the electric boost pump was inoperative and not delivering rated fuel flow. The electric boost pump was removed and replaced with a segregate boost pump. The engine started and developed continuous power at varied throttle positions between idle to full power. Once started, the electric boost pump was switched to the OFF position and the engine continued to run at varied throttle positions solely with the mechanical fuel pump. No further anomalies were noted. Following the engine examination, the electric boost pump was examined by representatives from the manufacturer and FAA. The examination revealed that the boost pump was originally manufactured by Weldon Pump of Cleveland, Ohio, and subsequently overhauled by Aeromotors, LLC, an FAA repair station. The original manufacture date could not be determined; however, records showed that the boost pump was overhauled by Aeromotors on August 8, 2018. The records showed that the electric boost pump was replaced on July 15, 2019, about 27 flight hours prior to the accident flight. Disassembly and examination of the boost pump revealed that the blade/vane retaining ring had failed, rendering the pump inoperative. The airplane flight manual states that aerobatic maneuvers must be accomplished with the fuel selector in the ACRO/CENTER (acrobatic) fuel tank position and prohibits aerobatic maneuvers with the wing fuel tanks selected. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N19AM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N19AM-2022-05-07), registration cancelled 2022-05-07, S/N 046, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Extra EA300 (L) - Registry model: [Extra Flugzeugbau EA 300/L](https://openairdocs.org/model/extra-flugzeugbau-ea-300-l) (registry code 70218DG) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-540-series) (registry code 41568, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 046 - Year built: 1997 - Airframe hours: 3231 - Engines: Lycoming AEIO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Aviation Performance Solutions, LLC - Registered owner: Op Aviation & Consulting LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 18, 2019, 42 hours before - Departed: KIWA, Mesa, AZ - Destination: KIWA, Mesa, AZ - Flight plan: Company VFR - Equipment: Video recording device, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: rear; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 11,000 total, 2,170 in this make and model, 10,780 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; military; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown; seat: front; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 3,700 total, 0 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KIWA, 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 20190814014209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190814014209A), Aug 14, 2019: Extra Flugzeugbau Gmbh EA 300/L, Mesa, AZ, Substantial damage. On 14 aug 2019, the PIC on aircraft N19AM, was instructing a student of aviation performance solutions (a part 141 school), on a part 91 flight. The PIC stated… ## Docket (11 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 13, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100051. 148 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 582 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14168303&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120_1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 193 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13706218&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20-%20Off%20Airport%20Landing%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Airplane information manual (item 3, PDF, 330 pages, 4.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14103867&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Airplane%20Information%20Manual-Rel.pdf - Exam and accident summary report (item 4, PDF, 7 pages, 956 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14105186&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Examination%20Accident%20Summary%20%20WPR19LA218-Rel.pdf - Fuel pump exam report weldon (item 5, PDF, 16 pages, 20 photos, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14050171&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FUEL%20BOOST%20PUMP%20EXAM%20WELDON%20SERIAL%20NUMBER%201807225_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Repair station report summary aeromotors (item 6, PDF, 4 pages, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14049995&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Aeromotors%20Exam%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Repair station information and authorization (item 7, PDF, 5 pages, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13899780&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Repair%20Station%20Information%20and%20Authorization%20_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Fuel servo exam report (item 8, PDF, 5 pages, 479 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14117794&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Fuel%20Servo%20Exam-WPR19LA218-Rel.pdf - Maintenance records (item 9, PDF, 4 pages, 131 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13902089&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Maintenance%20and%20Fuel%20Boost%20Pump%20Records_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Evidence control form (item 10, PDF, 7 pages, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14140311&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Evidence%20Control%20Documents%20Final-Rel.pdf - Statement of party representatives to NTSB investigation (item 11, PDF, 3 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13900406&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Certification%20of%20Party%20Representatives%203_Redacted-Rel.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.