Luters Arnis V LEGEND N3YZ

Summary

On 27 June 2012 at about 14:28 local time, a Luters Arnis V LEGEND registered N3YZ was involved in an accident near Glenwood, Florida, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

27 June 2012 at 14:28

Classification

Accident

Location

Glenwood, Florida, United States

Coordinates

29.0864, -81.3542

Aircraft

Luters Arnis V LEGEND

Registration

N3YZ

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Deland → Norfolk

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA12LA417

Nobody was injured.

The total loss of engine power due to the airplane builder’s improper installation of the fuel control unit condition lever cables, which resulted in the airplane’s subsequent forced landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The amateur-built airplane was in cruise flight at 3,000 feet above ground level when it experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot performed a forced landing to a field, and the airplane sustained substantial damage during the landing. Postaccident examination revealed that the fuel control unit (FCU) condition lever was 20 degrees out of its run position. Further examination of the condition lever revealed that the condition lever’s outer cable had been improperly installed, which allowed the uncommanded aft movement of the condition lever, which could result in a loss of engine power. A broken engine mount, which was likely the result of impact-related forces, was also found. This broken engine mount resulted in a slight turbine misalignment. When the turbine was realigned, the FCU condition lever settings were normal. The engine was subsequently started and operated normally with no irregular noises or hesitation. According to the engine manufacturer’s representative, if the condition lever had been installed properly, there should have been no such movement of the condition lever.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.