Summary
On June 06, 2016, a Flohr David J R 80 TIGER MOTH (N8CX) was involved in an incident near Decatur, TX. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: A failure of the electric fuel boost pump, which resulted in fuel starvation and a subsequent total loss of engine power.
On June 6, 2016, about 1730 central daylight time, an amateur built Flohr David J R-80 Tiger Moth airplane, N8CX, nosed down during an off airport forced landing in Decatur, Texas, following a loss of engine power. The airline transport rated pilot was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to a private individual and was operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight and no flight plan was filed. The local flight originated from the Lazy G Bar Ranch Airport (90T), Decatur, Texas.The pilot reported he was flying at an altitude of about 500 ft above the ground over his ranch when the accident occurred.
This incident is documented in NTSB report CEN16LA219. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N8CX.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
A failure of the electric fuel boost pump, which resulted in fuel starvation and a subsequent total loss of engine power.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On June 6, 2016, about 1730 central daylight time, an amateur built Flohr David J R-80 Tiger Moth airplane, N8CX, nosed down during an off airport forced landing in Decatur, Texas, following a loss of engine power. The airline transport rated pilot was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to a private individual and was operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight and no flight plan was filed. The local flight originated from the Lazy G Bar Ranch Airport (90T), Decatur, Texas.The pilot reported he was flying at an altitude of about 500 ft above the ground over his ranch when the accident occurred. He stated he smelled something burning and about 15 seconds later, the engine lost all power and the propeller stopped spinning. The airplane hit a ditch and nosed over during the forced landing resulting in substantial damage to both lower wings.
The pilot reported the previous owner of the airplane had installed a Facet 150 electric boost pump to increase the fuel flow. The pilot examined the engine after the accident and stated the inline electric boost pump overheated, burned, and shut down the fuel supply to the engine.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN16LA219