Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Palm Coast, Florida 32164
Wednesday, May 4, 2011 13:45 EDT

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

The pilot reported that the automotive-type electric fuel boost pump was installed the day prior to the accident flight. Shortly after takeoff, he turned off the electric boost pump when the airplane was about 200 feet above the ground. He noted that fuel pressure was low with only the engine-driven pump operating. He turned the electric boost pump back on, and the fuel pressure returned to an acceptable level. While approaching his destination, the fuel pressure again dropped, and the engine lost power. The pilot performed a forced landing and the airplane collided with trees. Examination of the wreckage revealed adequate fuel in the wing tanks; however, there was no fuel in the gascolator. Both fuel pumps were removed and tested, revealing no mechanical anomalies. While it is likely that the loss of engine power was caused by fuel starvation, the investigation could not definitively exclude other possible scenarios for the loss of engine power or a cause for the fuel starvation.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 5/4/2011
Event Day of the Week Wednesday
Time of Event 1345
Event Time Zone Eastern Daylight Time
Event City Palm Coast
Event State FLORIDA
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 32164
Event Date Year 2011
Event Date Month 5
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude 292827N
Event Location Longitude 0811945W
Event Location Airport --
Event Location Nearest Airport ID --
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport Off Airport/Airstrip
Distance from airport in statute miles --
Degrees magnetic from airport --
Airport Elevation --
Weather Briefing Completeness --
Investigator's weather source Weather Observation Facility
Time of the weather observation 1350 Eastern Daylight Time
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) 90
Weather Observation Facility ID XFL
Elevation of weather observation facility 33
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) 8
Time Zone of the weather observation EDT
Lighting Conditions Day
Lowest Ceiling Height --
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height --
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions Clear
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling None
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) --
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) --
Visibility (Statute Miles) 10
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) 27
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) 17
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) 50
Variable Wind Indicator Wind direction could be determined
Wind Speed (knots) 12
Wind Velocity Indicator --
Wind Gust Indicator Not Gusting
Wind Gust (knots) --
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) --
Density Altitude (feet) --
Intensity of Precipitation --
METAR weather report --
Event Highest Injury None
On Ground, Fatal Injuries --
On Ground, Minor Injuries --
On Ground, Serious Injuries --
Injury Total Fatal --
Injury Total Minor --
Injury Total None 1
Injury Total Serious --
Injury Total All --
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 29049
NTSB Notification Source FAA Southern ROC
NTSB Notification Date --
NTSB Notification Time --
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information --
Date of most recent change to record Nov 16 2011 9:39AM
User who most recently changed record andj
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office --

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N705AP
NTSB Number ERA11LA282
Missing Aircraft Indicator --
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Part 91: General Aviation
Type of Flight Plan filed None
Flight plan Was Activated? --
Damage Substantial
Aircraft Fire None
Aircraft Explosion None
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name PFOUTS ALFRED L
Aircraft Model SENIOR AERO SPT D260
Aircraft Series Identifier --
Aircraft Serial Number 7
Certified Max Gross Weight 1600
Aircraft Category Airplane
Aircraft Registration Class --
Aircraft is a homebuilt? Yes
Flight Crew Seats --
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats --
Total number of seats on the aircraft 2
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Fixed
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection Conditional
Date of Last Inspection Jan 5 2011 12:00AM
Airframe hours since last inspection 15
Airframe Hours 1140
ELT Installed No
ELT Activated No
ELT Aided Location of Event Site No
ELT Type --
Aircraft Owner Name RODERICK JOHN P
Aircraft Owner Street Address --
Aircraft Owner City PONTE VEDRA BEACH
Aircraft Owner State FL
Aircraft Owner Country USA
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 32082-2536
Operator is an individual? No
Operator Name RODERICK JOHN P
Operator Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Street Address --
Operator City PONTE VEDRA BEACH
Operator State FL
Operator Country USA
Operator Zip code 32082-2536
Operator Code --
Owner has at least one certificate None
Other Operator of large aircraft? No
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 No
Departure Airport Code 2J8
Departure City Pierson
Departure State FL
Departure Country USA
Departure Time 1330
Departure Time Zone EDT
Destination Same as Local Flt --
Destination Airport Code SGJ
Destination City St. Augustine
Destination State FL
Destination Country USA
Specific Phase of Flight --
Report sent to ICAO? --
Evacuation occurred --
Date of most recent change to record Oct 7 2011 2:09PM
User who most recently changed record kenj
Since inspection or accident Time of Accident
Event Location Runway Number and Location N/A
Runway Length --
Runway Width --
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --