Pitts MODEL 12 N12DR

Summary

On 18 April 2015 at about 22:48 local time, a Pitts MODEL 12 registered N12DR was involved in an accident near Burneyville, Oklahoma, 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

18 April 2015 at 22:48

Classification

Accident

Location

Burneyville, Oklahoma, United States

Nearest airport

Falconhead Airport (37K)

Coordinates

33.9258, -97.2964

Aircraft

Pitts MODEL 12

Registration

N12DR

Category

Airplane

Year built

2013

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Burneyville → Burneyville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN15LA205

1 person had minor injuries.

The partial loss of engine power due to contamination of the fuel system.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot reported that, after a short local flight, he entered the traffic pattern on the downwind leg and reduced the engine power to reduce airspeed. He subsequently reduced the engine power again when the airplane was abeam the approach end of the runway. During the base leg, he determined that the airplane would require additional engine power to land at his preferred touchdown point on the runway; however, the engine did not respond when he advanced the throttle. He subsequently increased both the throttle and propeller controls with no noticeable change in engine power. The airplane did not have enough altitude to reach the runway, so the pilot made a left 90° turn from the final approach path toward an open wheat field for a forced landing. He stated that the airplane came to rest nose down after both main landing gear collapsed upon landing in soft, muddy terrain. Postaccident engine examination revealed no evidence of a mechanical failure that would have precluded normal operation. The main fuel tank contained ample fuel; however, water and various debris were found in the main fuel line, line fitting, and the inline fuel filter. The observed contamination of the fuel system likely resulted in a partial loss of engine power. It could not be determined whether the vent inlet became blocked during the accident or was blocked before the accident and caused the partial loss of engine power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.