North American SNJ-5 N12KY

Summary

On 5 May 2008 at about 16:35 local time, a North American SNJ-5 registered N12KY was involved in an accident near Wolcott, Colorado, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 May 2008 at 16:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Wolcott, Colorado, United States

Coordinates

39.8267, -106.6100

Aircraft

North American SNJ-5

Registration

N12KY

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Englewood → Wendover

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DEN08LA085

1 person had minor injuries.

The failure of the engine driven fuel pump flange due to oil starvation, resulting in the loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, he was in cruise flight at 12,500 feet mean sea level when the engine stopped running. Attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful. The pilot performed a forced landing to rolling, uneven terrain resulting in substantial damage. Examination of the engine revealed the fuel pump drive gear was pressed into the flange and would not rotate by hand. Several of the gear teeth exhibited damage. The gear shaft exhibited rotational scoring. Half of the engine side lip of the flange was missing. The flange housing was discolored, consistent with heat due to oil starvation. Examination of the engine, fuel pump, remaining engine components, and fuel system revealed no anomalies.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.