The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Orlando, Florida
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Agriflight Inc
Location: Mascotte, Florida
Accident Number: ERA22LA174
Date and Time: March 29, 2022, 14:20 Local
Registration: N22LV
Aircraft: FPNA A-22 VALOR
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Fuel starvation
Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis
The experimental airplane was equipped with a 2.5-gallon header fuel tank, which allowed for about 20 minutes of flight. There was also a fuel tank in each wing that fed the header fuel tank, and each wing fuel tank had a respective fuel shutoff valve. The pilot stated that he recently purchased the airplane, and the fuel valve placards were confusing; however, he did not notice until after the accident that the fuel valve handles have on/off arrows embossed in them. While flying in the airport traffic pattern, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power and the pilot attempted to glide to a runway, but the airplane struck a fence just prior to the runway and came to rest inverted, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing and vertical stabilizer. The pilot added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane and he believed that he flew with the fuel valves in the off position.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot’s incorrect positioning of both wing fuel valves, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
Findings
Personnel issues Incorrect action selection - Pilot
Aircraft Fuel selector/shutoff valve - Incorrect use/operation
Aircraft Fuel - Related operating info
Factual Information
History of Flight
Prior to flight Preflight or dispatch event
Approach-VFR pattern final Fuel starvation (Defining event)
Approach-VFR pattern final Loss of engine power (total)
Emergency descent Off-field or emergency landing
Landing Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Commercial
Age: 75,Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Single-engine sea; Multi-engine land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Glider
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane single-engine
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Sport pilot
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: July 19, 2020
Flight Time: (Estimated) 6000 hours (Total, all aircraft), 0.3 hours (Total, this make and model), 0.3 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 0.3 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 0 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: FPNA
Registration: N22LV
Model/Series: A-22 VALOR
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2007
Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental (Special)
Serial Number: 192
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - ; Amphibian
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: January 2, 2022 Condition
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1250 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 66 Hrs
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 1163 Hrs at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Rotax
ELT: C126 installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: 912ULS
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 100 Horsepower
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: LEE,76 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 10 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 14:53 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 20°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 3 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 10°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.16 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 29°C / 13°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Mascotte, FL
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Mascotte, FL
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time:
Type of Airspace: Class G
Airport Information
Airport: Grass Roots Airpark 06FD
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 105 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 18
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3400 ft / 120 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced landing
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 28.641667,-81.885(est)
Location: Mascotte, Florida
Accident Number: ERA22LA174
Date and Time: March 29, 2022, 14:20 Local
Registration: N22LV
Aircraft: FPNA A-22 VALOR
Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: FPNA
Registration: N22LV
Model/Series: A-22 VALOR
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built:
Operator: On file Operating
Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: LEE,76 ft msl
Observation Time: 14:53 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 10 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 29°C /13°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 3 knots / , 10°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.16 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Mascotte, FL
Destination: Mascotte, FL
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 28.641667,-81.885 (est)
Aircraft flying too low on approach, clipped a fence and flipped over.
Date: 29-MAR-22
Time: 19:03:00Z
Regis#: N22LV
Aircraft Make: FPNA
Aircraft Model: VALOR A-22
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: MINOR
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: APPROACH (APR)
Operation: 91
City: MASCOTTE
State: FLORIDA
Picture above was taken October 16, 2021 prior to incident.
