N116GS

Substantial
None

Spittler Rans S-16S/N: 1298009

Accident Details

Date
Friday, August 4, 2006
NTSB Number
CHI06CA237
Location
Plattsmouth, NE
Event ID
20060905X01285
Coordinates
40.950279, -95.917778
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation which resulted from a binding within the fuel servo. A factor associated with the accident was the high vegetation that was encountered during the forced landing.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
SPITTLER
Serial Number
1298009
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
2001
Model / ICAO
Rans S-16
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
S-16 SHEKARI

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
THARP THOMAS J
Address
3718 E MAN O WAR DR
City
NAMPA
State / Zip Code
ID 83686-1314
Country
United States

Analysis

The airplane collided with rough terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power. The pilot reported they were practicing touch and go landings when the engine power decreased by 100 to 150 rpm during takeoff. The pilot confirmed the boost pump position, the mixture setting, and the fuel quantity. He reported that at an altitude of about 500 feet above the ground the engine power decreased smoothly to zero. The pilot reported there were crop fields on both sides of his path with a slew in the middle so he elected to land straight ahead in the slew. The airplane touched down in the four foot tall grass at which time the nose and right main landing gears collapsed resulting in structural damage to the airplane. The fuel servo was removed from the airplane and bench tested. The test revealed the servo had a tendency to stick when transitioning between high and low pressure settings.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI06CA237