Flight CTSW HXB N302CT

Summary

On 15 June 2016 at about 19:30 local time, a Flight CTSW HXB registered N302CT was involved in an accident near Sealy, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 June 2016 at 19:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Sealy, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Gloster Aerodrome (1XA7)

Coordinates

29.7333, -96.0592

Aircraft

Flight CTSW HXB

Registration

N302CT

Category

Airplane

Year built

2007

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Houston → Arcola

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN16LA221

2 people had minor injuries.

Failure of maintenance personnel to comply with the engine manufacturer’s mandatory service bulletin, which resulted in failure of the mechanical fuel pump diaphragm and a subsequent total loss of engine power.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During the initial climb on an instructional flight, the light sport airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. The flight instructor initiated a 180-degree turn back toward the airport; however, the airplane impacted trees to the right of the runway. Postaccident examination revealed that the mechanical fuel pump diaphragm had deteriorated and was leaking fuel. A serviceable fuel pump was installed, and the engine operated normally and produced full power during a subsequent test run. The fuel pump was subject to a mandatory service bulletin (SB) issued by the manufacturer about 3 years before the accident. The SB required replacement of the fuel pump at the next scheduled maintenance due to instances of mechanical failure. Although the accident airplane had received three annual inspections between the issuance of the SB and the accident flight, the fuel pump was not replaced at any of these inspections.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.