# NTSB WPR22LA211: Rans S21, N46JH, Fairfield, UT, June 9, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report
- Date: June 9, 2022, 10:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Fairfield, UT
- Coordinates: 40.244113, -112.08891 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2441&lon=-112.0889&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: 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-SLC, Rotax-Rotech Flight Safety
- NTSB case key (mKey): 105241
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR22LA211
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105241/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105241
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA211

## Probable cause

The owner’s (pilot) failure to properly torque a fuel filter b-nut fitting, which likely introduced air into the fuel system and resulted in a loss of engine power. Contributing to the loss of power was a missing restricted bypass line and a header tank vent line, which would have allowed the venting of air from the fuel system.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Fuel system: fuel distribution](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [James L Harvey RANS DESIGNS S-21, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md?model=05640D1), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md)
- [Fuel system: fuel distribution](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Design (probable cause); cases with it: [James L Harvey RANS DESIGNS S-21, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md?model=05640D1), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md)
- [Fuel system: fuel storage](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022810): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Design (probable cause); cases with it: [James L Harvey RANS DESIGNS S-21, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022810/cases.md?model=05640D1), [All aircraft, 60 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022810/cases.md)
- [Maintenance: installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [James L Harvey RANS DESIGNS S-21, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md?model=05640D1), [All aircraft, 371 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [James L Harvey RANS DESIGNS S-21, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=05640D1), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [James L Harvey RANS DESIGNS S-21, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05640D1), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [James L Harvey RANS DESIGNS S-21, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=05640D1), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was conducting a test flight following recent maintenance when, shortly after departing, the engine began to lose power. He performed a forced landing on airport property, during which the airplane landed hard and sustained substantial damage. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the fuel filter b-nut fitting was not properly torqued, which likely introduced air into the fuel system. Additionally, there was no restricted bypass line between the inlet (pressure side of the fuel pump module) and the return line and no vent line from the header tank, both of which would have allowed the venting of air from the fuel system. Based on this evidence, it is likely that the loose fuel filter b-nut allowed the air into the fuel system that could not be properly vented due to the lack of a restricted bypass line and vent line, which ultimately resulted in the loss of engine power.

## Factual narrative

On June 9, 2022, about 1045 mountain daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Rans Designs S-21 airplane, N46JH, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Fairfield, Utah. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot who also performed the maintenance on the airplane reported that the accident flight was a test flight following recent maintenance, during which a turbocharger air duct elbow, new fuel pumps, and fuel filters were installed. An engine run-up indicated that all systems, including fuel pressure, were normal. During the takeoff, about 150 ft above ground level, the engine lost power. The pilot maneuvered the airplane and landed hard on airport property during the forced landing. The left landing gear strut collapsed and the left elevator and forward fuselage sustained substantial damage. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed that there was no restricted bypass line between the inlet (pressure side of the fuel pump module) and the return line and no vent line from the header tank. The inlet b-nut fitting to the fuel filter assembly was finger loose. Fuel dripped from the fitting during the initial turns of the fitting. A 40-micron in-line low flow fuel filter was attached to the high-pressure side of the fuel system after the fuel pump. The filter was removed and disassembled. Small amounts of contaminants, consistent with the O-ring sealant, was noted in the filter cavity. Airflow was restricted when blown air was applied to the powdered sintered material filter. Borescope examination of the engine cylinders revealed damage consistent with detonation. No other damage or anomalies were noted during the borescope examination. Data downloaded from onboard avionics revealed a fuel flow that was not consistent with the fuel pressure during throttle movement. Per the Rotax Installation Manual, the purpose of the bypass line is to allow venting of the fuel system after a potential inclusion of air. A restricted bypass line may be installed between the inlet (pressure side of the fuel pump module) and the return line. In this bypass line, a restricted jet should be installed to achieve an ideal balance between short venting time and minimum fuel flow rate. The positioning and dimensioning of the jet are up to the aircraft manufacturer. If no bypass line is installed, the pressure release in the fuel lines is very slow. This should be noted accordingly in the manuals of the aircraft manufacturer (fuel lines are possibly under full operating pressure even after engine stop).

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N46JH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N46JH-2023-11-07), registration cancelled 2023-11-07, S/N 02200084, built 2021 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RANS S21
- Registry model: [James L Harvey RANS DESIGNS S-21](https://openairdocs.org/model/james-l-harvey-rans-designs-s-21) (registry code 05640D1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 915 IS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-915-is-series) (registry code 55620, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 02200084
- Year built: 2021
- Airframe hours: 81
- Engines: Rotax 915iS 141 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harvey James L
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, September 22, 2021, 81 hours before
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: UT9, West Desert Airpark, runway 17, 2,600 × 24 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Data recorder, Auto-pilot

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 75; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 22, 2021; seat: left; flight hours: 329 total, 73 in this make and model, 99 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.08 inHg
- Icing: Unknown
- Turbulence: Unknown
- Observed at: KPVU, 17 nm away
- METAR: KPVU 091556Z VRB03KT 10SM BKN200 23/07 A3008 RMK AO2 SLP130 T02280067

## 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 20220609010189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220609010189A), Jun 9, 2022: James L Harvey RANS DESIGNS S-21, Fairfield, UT, Substantial damage. On June 9, 2022, the pilot had just replaced the engine fuel pump on aircraft [privacy data omitted] due to a recall by Rotax. In addition, the fuel filter was…

## Docket (10 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 25, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105241. 70.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14041057&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120%20%20J%20L%20Harvey%20N46JH%20%2006162022_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photo array of accident site-courtesy of owner (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 932 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14036412&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Site%20Photo%20Array-Courtesy%20of%20Owner-Rel.pdf
- Rotax installation manual-fine filter (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 133 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16884778&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Fine%20fuel%20filter-Rel.pdf
- Rotax installation manual-bypass line excerpt (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 180 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16884355&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Bypass%20line-Rel.pdf
- 915IS fuel system schematic (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 129 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16884749&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=915iS%20Fuel%20system%20schematic-Rel.pdf
- Dynon flight data-alert data-raw csv (item 6, CSV, 475 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16725794&FileExtension=csv&FileName=2022-08-11-N46JH-SN13785-16.2.4.8600-_AX_FLT-ALERT_DATA-PART_03-Rel.csv
- Dynon flight data-black box log data-raw csv (item 7, CSV, 9.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16725610&FileExtension=csv&FileName=2022-08-11-N46JH-SN13785-16.2.4.8600-_AX_FLT-BLACK_BOX_LOG_DATA-Rel.csv
- Dynon flight data-user log data-raw csv (item 8, CSV, 56.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16725336&FileExtension=csv&FileName=2022-08-11-N46JH-SN13785-16.2.4.8600-_AX_FLT-USER_LOG_DATA-Rel.csv
- Engine data graph (item 9, PDF, 1 page, 83 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16730946&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Engine%20Data%201-Rel.pdf
- Engine and airframe examination summary (item 10, PDF, 9 pages, 12 photos, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16883239&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR22LA211%20Engine%20and%20Airframe%20Examination%20Summary-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.

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