# NTSB WPR22LA138: Robinson Michael E Cozy Mark IV, N294MV, Tucson, AZ, March 30, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 30, 2022, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Tucson, AZ · short of rwy 24L - Coordinates: 32.146578, -111.1644 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1466&lon=-111.1644&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 104861 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR22LA138 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104861/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104861 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA138 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power during an approach due to clogged fuel filters, which resulted from an epoxide sealant used in manufacture of the airplane deteriorating and clogging the fuel filter. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system: fuel filter-strainer](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Michael E COZY MARK IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821/cases.md?model=05635CX), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel storage](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022810): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Fatigue/wear/corrosion (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Michael E COZY MARK IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022810/cases.md?model=05635CX), [All aircraft, 60 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022810/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 final: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Michael E COZY MARK IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=05635CX), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) ## Analysis During a local flight, the pilot was maneuvering the amateur-built experimental airplane to final approach in the traffic pattern when the engine lost total power. The pilot noticed that the propeller was not windmilling and attempted to restart the engine but was unsuccessful. Subsequently, the airplane impacted trees about 1,000 ft short of the runway threshold and sustained substantial damage to both wings. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. However, examination of the fuel system revealed a clogged fuel filter on the left fuel line and a partially clogged fuel filter on the right fuel line. The pilot stated that he had the left fuel tank selected at the time of the accident. Laboratory spectrum analysis determined the material clogging the fuel filters was consistent with an epoxide used in resins and sealants. Although the spectrum of the clogging material did not match that of an uncured sample of the sealant used during manufacture of the airplane, this was likely due to the cured state of the clogging material. The epoxide likely deteriorated, with the fragments becoming loose and clogging the fuel filters. ## Factual narrative On March 30, 2022, about 1330 mountain standard time, an experimental amateur-built Cozy Mark IV, airplane, N294MV, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Tucson, Arizona. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that during the base turn to final, while descending at idle power, he noticed that the alternator indicator light was flashing and that there were no indications of engine rpm or manifold pressure. He further reported that there was no roughness or abnormal noise associated with the loss of power. The pilot immediately switched fuel tanks, confirmed that the boost pump was on, and noticed that the propeller was not windmilling. He attempted to restart the engine but was unsuccessful. Subsequently, the airplane impacted trees about 1,000 ft short of the runway threshold and sustained substantial damage to both wings. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. However, examination of the fuel system revealed a clogged fuel filter on the left fuel line from the left fuel tank to the engine. The fuel filter on the right fuel line also had contamination but was only partially clogged. The pilot stated that he had the left fuel tank selected at the time of the accident and normally selects it while flying in the traffic pattern. A sample of the material that clogged the fuel filter was sent to the National Transportation Safety Board Materials Laboratory for analysis along with samples of two types of foams and uncured sealant material used in building the airplane for comparison. Spectrum analysis of the clogging material determined that its spectrum was consistent with an epoxide. A spectral library search found matches to several epoxy resins and sealants. The material sample did not match any of the samples submitted for comparison including the uncured sealant sample. However, the clogging material was noted to have cured based on its appearance and the similarities to the spectral matches found in the library search. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N294MV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N294MV-2022-11-29), registration cancelled 2022-11-29, S/N 0394, built 2016 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON MICHAEL E COZY MARK IV - Registry model: [Robinson Michael E COZY MARK IV](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-michael-e-cozy-mark-iv) (registry code 05635CX) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-C1C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-c1c) (registry code 41832, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 0394 - Year built: 2016 - Airframe hours: 32 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, September 17, 2021 - Departed: AVO, Marana, AZ - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: RYN, Ryan Field Airport, runway 24R, 4,900 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 80; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 4, 2020; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,539.6 total, 32 in this make and model, 1,539.6 as pilot in command, 13.2 in the last 90 days, 8.9 in the last 30 days, 2.4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: KRYN - METAR: KRYN 302034Z 28010KT 10SM CLR 22/01 A2997 RMK ACFT MSHP ## 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 20220330004799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220330004799A), Mar 30, 2022: Robinson Michael E COZY MARK IV, Tucson, AZ, Substantial damage. On flight from marana (avq) to Ryan Field (ryn), aircraft entered extended downwind for other traffic and was cleared for right base to 24R, upon turning base… ## Other investigations on N294MV (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 CEN17LA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA098), Feb 1, 2017: Robinson Michael E Cozy Mark IV (N294MV), Anthony, NM, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power during climbout for reasons an examination of the engine and fuel system was not able to determine, which resulted in a forced landing on unsuitable terrain. ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 31, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104861. 20.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14831293&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Airframe and engine examination summary (item 2, PDF, 5 pages, 707 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14870084&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR22LA138%20Airframe%20and%20Engine%20Examination%202%20Final-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 106 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14902932&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record-Rel.pdf - Laboratory report on unknown material in fuel filter (item 4, PDF, 6 pages, 14.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14902302&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Email%20report-WPR22LA138%20(Unknown%20material%20in%20fuel%20filter)-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14884002&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Wrecakge%20Release%20Form_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.