Fernandia Beach Municipal Airport
Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Fernandina Bch, Florida 32034
Thursday, October 31, 2002 15:10 EST

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

According to the airframe and powerplant mechanic passenger, the airplane was on a maintenance test flight. After takeoff the airplane climbed to 2,500 feet, and experienced a loss of engine power. Attempts by the pilot to restore engine power were unsuccessful. While attempting to return to the airport the airplane collided into a wooded area short of runway 22. The pilot and mechanic exited the airplane. The airplane was consumed by post-crash fire. During the on scene engine examination approximately eight ounces of water was drained from the fuel selector. Examination of the fuel strainer found rust on the strainer spring, and heat damage on the internal rubber components. Approximately three ounces of water was drained from the sump during the on scene examination. The engine was removed and sent to Teledyne Continental Motors for further examination.The internal examination of the fuel pump found it to be damaged in the post-crash fire. There were heavy deposits of lacquer found in the internal vanes of the fuel pump that operate the pumping action. The fuel manifold was flow tested and it was found to be within operating parameters. The engine driven fuel pump could not be tested because it would not rotate.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

Water contamination in the fuel system which resulted in the loss of engine power and the subsequent collision with trees.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 10/31/2002
Event Day of the Week Thursday
Time of Event 1510
Event Time Zone Eastern Standard Time
Event City Fernandina Bch
Event State FLORIDA
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 32034
Event Date Year 2002
Event Date Month 10
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude 303642N
Event Location Longitude 0812744W
Event Location Airport Fernandia Beach Municipal
Event Location Nearest Airport ID 55J
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport Off Airport/Airstrip
Distance from airport in statute miles 0.1
Degrees magnetic from airport 220
Airport Elevation 15
Weather Briefing Completeness Not pertinent
Investigator's weather source Weather Observation Facility
Time of the weather observation 1456 Eastern Standard Time
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) 59
Weather Observation Facility ID KJAX
Elevation of weather observation facility 30
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) 13
Time Zone of the weather observation EST
Lighting Conditions Day
Lowest Ceiling Height 25000
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height 2500
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions Few
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling Broken
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) --
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) --
Visibility (Statute Miles) 10
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) 22
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) 12
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) 360
Variable Wind Indicator Wind direction could be determined
Wind Speed (knots) 7
Wind Velocity Indicator --
Wind Gust Indicator Gusting
Wind Gust (knots) 0
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) 30.03
Density Altitude (feet) --
Intensity of Precipitation --
METAR weather report METAR KJAX 311956Z 36007KT 10SM FEW025 BKN250 22/1
Event Highest Injury Fatal
On Ground, Fatal Injuries --
On Ground, Minor Injuries --
On Ground, Serious Injuries --
Injury Total Fatal 1
Injury Total Minor --
Injury Total None 1
Injury Total Serious --
Injury Total All 1
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 17084
NTSB Notification Source FAA Com Center
NTSB Notification Date Oct 31 2002 12:00AM
NTSB Notification Time 1600
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information DMS
Date of most recent change to record Jan 27 2005 3:52PM
User who most recently changed record NTSB\JOHB
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office FAA Orlando FSDO - 15

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N3122K
NTSB Number ATL03LA012
Missing Aircraft Indicator --
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Part 91: General Aviation
Type of Flight Plan filed None
Flight plan Was Activated? No
Damage Destroyed
Aircraft Fire Ground
Aircraft Explosion None
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name Beech
Aircraft Model F33A
Aircraft Series Identifier --
Aircraft Serial Number CE-1281
Certified Max Gross Weight 3300
Aircraft Category Airplane
Aircraft Registration Class U.S. Registered/U.S. Soil
Aircraft is a homebuilt? No
Flight Crew Seats --
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats --
Total number of seats on the aircraft 5
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Retractable
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection 100 Hour
Date of Last Inspection Oct 31 2002 12:00AM
Airframe hours since last inspection 1
Airframe Hours 3588.3
ELT Installed Yes
ELT Activated No
ELT Aided Location of Event Site No
ELT Type --
Aircraft Owner Name Rhys Lloyd Stanger
Aircraft Owner Street Address 79 Marsh Creek Road
Aircraft Owner City Amelia Island
Aircraft Owner State FL
Aircraft Owner Country USA
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 32034
Operator is an individual? Yes
Operator Name --
Operator Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Street Address --
Operator City --
Operator State --
Operator Country --
Operator Zip code --
Operator Code --
Owner has at least one certificate None
Other Operator of large aircraft? --
Certified for Part 133 or 137 Operation --
Operator Certificate Number --
Indicates whether an air carrier operation was scheduled or not --
Indicates Domestic or International Flight --
Operator carrying Pax/Cargo/Mail --
Type of Flying (Per_Bus / Primary) Personal
Second Pilot on Board No
Departure Point Same as Event Yes
Departure Airport Code 55J
Departure City Fernandina Bch
Departure State FL
Departure Country USA
Departure Time 1530
Departure Time Zone EST
Destination Same as Local Flt dest & departure same, accident can occur anywhere
Destination Airport Code --
Destination City --
Destination State --
Destination Country --
Specific Phase of Flight Emergency descent/landing
Report sent to ICAO? No
Evacuation occurred No
Date of most recent change to record Jan 26 2004 1:57PM
User who most recently changed record POWP
Since inspection or accident Time of Accident
Event Location Runway Number and Location 22
Runway Length 5350
Runway Width 100
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --