# NTSB WPR21LA019: Glasair III, N1YX, Hayward, CA, October 21, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 21, 2020, 11:50 local (18:50 UTC) - Place: Hayward, CA · Hole 7 (par 4) of the golf course - Coordinates: 37.660905, -122.13744 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6609&lon=-122.1374&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 102175 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA019 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102175/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102175 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA019 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation because of a clogged fuel filter. Contributing to the accident was the improper maintenance and inspection of the fuel filter. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not serviced/maintained; cases with it: [Blanchard Jim GLASAIR III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md?model=05691CN), [All aircraft, 181 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel filter-strainer](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Fatigue/wear/corrosion (probable cause); cases with it: [Blanchard Jim GLASAIR III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821/cases.md?model=05691CN), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel filter-strainer](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [Blanchard Jim GLASAIR III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821/cases.md?model=05691CN), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Blanchard Jim GLASAIR III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=05691CN), [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. - [Takeoff: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Blanchard Jim GLASAIR III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=05691CN), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Blanchard Jim GLASAIR III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05691CN), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Prior to flight: Aircraft maintenance event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040); cases with it: [Blanchard Jim GLASAIR III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md?model=05691CN), [All aircraft, 484 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md) ## Analysis During takeoff in the experimental amateur-built airplane, the engine lost all power. The pilot performed a force landing on a golf course where the airplane struck two trees. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the fuel filter was clogged with corrosion and the filter bypass was rendered inoperative from the corrosion. Although the airplane had about 30 gallons of fuel on board, it is likely that the clogged fuel filter starved the engine of fuel, which resulted in the total loss of engine power. Maintenance records were not made available to determine the maintenance history of the airplane. ## Factual narrative On October 21, 2020, about 1150 Pacific daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built, Glasair III airplane, N1YX, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Hayward, California. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was being operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that on the day of the accident, he was going to return the airplane to the owner in Oregon. He added 15 gallons of fuel to the fuel tank and believed that 15 gallons of fuel were already in the tank. He reported that the takeoff was smooth and normal, but the engine soon lost all power. He didn’t change the fuel switch position as “it was always in both.” He then made a forced landing on a golf course, where the airplane struck two trees. Multiple witnesses reported hearing the engine making popping noises after the pilot started the engine. One reported hearing a deep thumping sound before the takeoff, and another reported hearing popping and observing black smoke trailing from the airplane after the takeoff. According to a mechanic, who had known the pilot for several years, he had done some work on the airplane. He replaced the propeller but did not finish the work, due to other priorities. Later, when he looked at the airplane, someone had completed the work. He did not know who completed the work, but he did know that the pilot was not an A & P mechanic. A postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed the fuel filter cartridge was clogged with corrosion and the fuel filter bypass was rendered inoperative from the corrosion (see figure 1). The maintenance logbooks were not available for examination, and therefore the historical data for the fuel filter was not determined during the investigation. Figure 1. Fuel filter cartridge and housing. The pilot did not submit the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report Form 6120.1. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1YX](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1YX), registered now, S/N 3131 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Glasair III - Registry model: [Blanchard Jim GLASAIR III](https://openairdocs.org/model/blanchard-jim-glasair-iii) (registry code 05691CN) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540-EXP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-exp) (registry code 42167, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 3131 - Year built: 1993 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: HWD, Heyward Executive Airport - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 500 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Turbulence: Moderate - Observed at: KHWD, 1 nm away - METAR: KHWD 211854Z VRB04KT 10SM CLR 25/12 A2984 RMK AO2 SLP112 T02500122 ## 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 20201021019119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20201021019119A), Oct 21, 2020: Blanchard Jim GLASAIR III, Hayward, CA, Substantial damage. On 10/21/2020 aircraft N1YX, a glassair iii, armature-built aircraft experienced an accident. The pilot says he believes the aircraft had approximately 15… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 13, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102175. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot's statement (item 1, PDF, 2 pages, 134 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12983538&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Statement%20P_Long-Rel.pdf - Witness statements (item 2, PDF, 5 pages, 211 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14164911&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Witness%20statements_all-Rel.pdf - Interview with owner (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 120 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12982735&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Interview_D_Vetch-Rel.pdf - Airframe and engine report (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 152 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12982679&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=AFC%20Aircraft%20Works%20Investigation%20N1YT_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Statement of party representatives to NTSB investigation (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 232 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12983674&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR21LA019%20Party%20Form%20Lycoming_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memo for record NTSB form 6120.1 (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 121 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13010094&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memo%20for%20Record%20NTSB%20Form%206120_1-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 7, PDF, 5 pages, 749 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14116481&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos%20WPR21LA019-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.