Johnson GLASTAR N4579J

Summary

On 26 May 2017 at about 21:45 local time, a Johnson GLASTAR registered N4579J was involved in an accident near Concord, California, 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

26 May 2017 at 21:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Concord, California, United States

Nearest airport

Buchanan Field Airport (CCR)

Coordinates

37.9872, -122.0542

Aircraft

Johnson GLASTAR

Registration

N4579J

Category

Airplane

Year built

2012

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Concord → Concord

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR17LA110

1 person had minor injuries.

A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence. 

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The student pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to practice landings. The takeoff was uneventful, but when the airplane was on the base leg, the engine suddenly quit without warning or making any abnormal noises. The pilot attempted to restart the engine several times without success. He initiated a forced landing onto a roadway, during which the left wing impacted a light pole. The nosewheel collapsed, and the airplane then crossed an intersection and slid to a rest. Postaccident engine examination revealed that the carburetor was fracture-separated at the attachment flange, and the air box exhibited heavy impact damage. The carburetor was disassembled, and the needle valve and floats were observed stuck in the "up" position. Slight force was applied to the float assembly, and it moved freely. No contaminants or obvious bends in the float system were found. Although a stuck needle valve can restrict fuel from entering the carburetor bowl and lead to a loss of engine failure, impact damage precluded a determination of whether the needle was stuck before the accident or during the impact sequence. No other mechanical anomalies were found with the engine that would have precluded normal operation; therefore, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.