ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 216776
This information is added by users of ASN. Neither ASN nor the Flight Safety Foundation are responsible for the completeness or correctness of this information.
If you feel this information is incomplete or incorrect, you can submit corrected information.
| Date: | Saturday 27 October 2018 |
| Time: | 12:15 LT |
| Type: |  Titan T-51 Mustang |
| Owner/operator: | Private |
| Registration: | N154DF |
| MSN: | M10SV6S0HK0154 |
| Year of manufacture: | 2015 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 10 hours |
| Engine model: | Honda J35 A6 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Brevard County near Valkaria Airport (X59), Valkaria, FL -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Landing |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Valkaria, FL (X59) |
| Valkaria, FL (X59) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The pilot stated that, shortly after takeoff on a local test flight of the experimental, amateur-built airplane, the engine surged, with a corresponding fuel pressure fluctuation. Because the engine was developing partial power, he elected to return to the airport for landing, but while on the base leg of the airport traffic pattern, the engine lost total power. The airplane subsequently impacted a small retention pond and came to rest partially submerged in water. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed damage to the Nos. 2 and 5 cast aluminum pistons consistent with detonation. The fuel pumps and engine control unit were operationally tested with no discrepancies reported. Inspection of the cooling system components revealed no evidence of pre-impact failure or malfunction, and no evidence of warpage of the cylinder heads was observed.
The owner reported continuing engine overheating problems that occurred at sustained 'moderate' power settings, which he was unable to correct despite extensive troubleshooting efforts including re-routing of the coolant reservoir. Although he believed he was operating the engine with a rich fuel-to-air ratio, when compared to an identical airplane that was operating successfully, the accident engine was being operated in a lean fuel-to-air ratio at all power settings (500 to 5,000 in 250 rpm increments). This finding was consistent with the pilot's report of overheating at sustained moderate power settings.
Probable Cause: The partial, then total, loss of engine power due to detonation and associated damage to several pistons as a result of an overly lean fuel-to-air ratio.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB ERA19LA032
FAA register: https://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=154DF%20
Location
Media:
One person was injured in a small plane crash in Brevard County https://t.co/4FbJqPOtsv pic.twitter.com/Kqwc1PcwMf
— Spectrum News 13 (@MyNews13) 27 octobre 2018
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 27-Oct-2018 22:54 | Geno | Added |
| 28-Oct-2018 09:36 | Iceman 29 | Updated [Source, Embed code] |
| 29-Oct-2018 21:23 | Geno | Updated [Aircraft type, Registration, Cn, Operator, Source, Embed code, Narrative] |
| 02-Jul-2022 17:19 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Other fatalities, Nature, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative, Category, Accident report] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2024 Flight Safety Foundation