# NTSB WPR22LA158: Europa XS Mono, N194XS, Eastsound, WA, April 13, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 13, 2022, 11:36 local (18:36 UTC) - Place: Eastsound, WA - Coordinates: 48.699009, -122.91026 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.6990&lon=-122.9103&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/800) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Other: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 104966 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR22LA158 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104966/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104966 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA158 ## Probable cause The pilot inadvertently shut off the engine control unit, which resulted in the engine turning off before the runway landing was attained. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Klein Fred R EUROPA XS MONO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=05638RV), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Ignition system: low tension coil](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057411): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unintentional use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Klein Fred R EUROPA XS MONO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057411/cases.md?model=05638RV), [All aircraft, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057411/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 downwind: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Klein Fred R EUROPA XS MONO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05638RV), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Klein Fred R EUROPA XS MONO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05638RV), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Other: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Klein Fred R EUROPA XS MONO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05638RV), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he reduced airspeed and lowered the landing gear and flaps while on downwind for the runway. The landing gear and flaps used a single control lever, which he had to “wrestle” with to get into the “locked” position. While he attempted to lower the landing gear and flaps the engine lost all power. He extended the downwind leg so he could attempt to restart the engine. Unable to restore engine power, he turned toward the runway and the airplane impacted trees short of the runway threshold. The pilot later reported, after simulating the accident sequence in the airplane, that while extending the flaps and landing gear, he likely inadvertently closed, or turned off, a switch that controls the engine control unit (ECU), an action which results in an immediate engine stoppage.” ## Factual narrative On April 13, 2022, about 1145 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Europa XS Mono airplane, N194XS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Eastsound, Washington. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. The pilot reported that, at the completion of a maintenance flight, while on downwind for runway 34, he reduced the airspeed and lowered the landing gear and flaps, which used a single control lever. He stated that he had to “wrestle” with the lever to get it in the “locked” position, and while doing so the engine lost all power. The pilot extended the downwind leg so he could attempt to restart the engine; however, unable to restore engine power, he turned toward the runway. The pilot realized he would not make it to the runway and the airplane impacted trees about 2,000 ft south of the runway threshold, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot later reported, after simulating the accident sequence in the airplane, that he may have inadvertently closed one or both rocker switches that controlled the ECU, ignition coils, or fuel igniters. He stated that when he moved the control stick forward to counteract nose high attitude from lowing the flaps, it would have been possible to close the rocker switch controlling the ECU, “an action which results in an immediate engine stoppage.” ## Aircraft - Registration: [N194XS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N194XS), registered now, S/N A-194, built 2019 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: EUROPA XS Mono - Registry model: [Klein Fred R EUROPA XS MONO](https://openairdocs.org/model/klein-fred-r-europa-xs-mono) (registry code 05638RV) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Subaru EA-81](https://openairdocs.org/engine/subaru-ea-81) (registry code 59052, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: A-194 - Year built: 2019 - Airframe hours: 2 - Engines: RAM Racing Engines EA81 140 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, September 1, 2021 - Airport: ORS, Orcas Island, runway 34, 2,901 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, ADS-B, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 83; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed; last flight review May 13, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 684 total, 8 in this make and model, 684 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 6 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KORS, 1 nm away - METAR: KORS 131855Z AUTO 33006KT 8SM FEW075 08/01 A3002 RMK AO2 ## 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 20220413004629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220413004629A), Apr 13, 2022: Klein Fred R EUROPA XS MONO, Eastsound, WA, Substantial damage. Upon approach, pilot accidently turned off electrical power to coils which rendered engine ingnition inoperative causing loss of engine power and altitude… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 15, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104966. 2.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 606 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15263918&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Email from the pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 120 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15264002&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=email%20from%20pilot_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 1 photo, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15263528&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=photo%20array-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.