# NTSB WPR24LA162: Nelson Lawrence K 601 HDS, N918LN, Somerton, AZ, May 27, 2024

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: May 27, 2024, 07:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Somerton, AZ · An open field about 1 mile west of the airport.
- Coordinates: 32.599361, -114.6828
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5994&lon=-114.6828&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 194323
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR24LA162
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194323/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194323
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA162

## Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate fuel management which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

## Findings

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

- [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Nelson Lawrence K 601 HDS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=05635SB), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Nelson Lawrence K 601 HDS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=05635SB), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Nelson Lawrence K 601 HDS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=05635SB), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/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: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Nelson Lawrence K 601 HDS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=05635SB), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Nelson Lawrence K 601 HDS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05635SB), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the airplane reported that, during the preflight engine runup, he diverted his attention to a phone call and failed to switch the fuel selector to a fuel tank with adequate fuel. During the initial climb, the engine experienced a complete loss of power, and the pilot performed a forced landing in an agricultural field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N918LN](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N918LN), registered now, S/N 001, built 2017 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NELSON LAWRENCE K 601 HDS
- Registry model: [Nelson Lawrence K 601 HDS](https://openairdocs.org/model/nelson-lawrence-k-601-hds) (registry code 05635SB) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 001
- Year built: 2017
- Airframe hours: 345
- Engines: Larry Nelson/Corvair Corvair Conversion 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, November 4, 2023
- Airport: 54AZ, Somerton
- Equipment: Auto-pilot, Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 427 total, 303 in this make and model, 370 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observed at: KNYL, 3 nm away
- METAR: KNYL 271257Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 21/06 A2986 RMK AO2 SLP107 T02060056 $

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 25, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194323. 3.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17203247&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20Flattened%20Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photo array (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 766 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17203573&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.

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