Czech SPORT CRUISER N251SC

Summary

On 7 October 2020 at about 17:30 local time, a Czech SPORT CRUISER registered N251SC was involved in an accident near Waterloo, Alabama, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

7 October 2020 at 17:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Waterloo, Alabama, United States

Coordinates

34.9735, -88.1563

Aircraft

Czech SPORT CRUISER

Registration

N251SC

Category

Airplane

Year built

2008

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

McKinney → Oak Ridge

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA21FA010

1 person died.

The improper configuration of the airplane’s fuel system, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation following the failure of the electric fuel pump.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot’s spouse, he departed on the morning of the accident to return home from a cross-country trip. A search was initiated when the pilot did not return as expected, and the airplane was found in a heavily wooded area about 45 nautical miles from an intermediate airport where the pilot had stopped to refuel. Examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies with the flight controls and the examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. An examination of the fuel system revealed that an aftermarket electric automotive fuel pump was used in place of the recommended manufacturer’s fuel pump. The fuel pump was removed and connected directly to a 12-volt power source, and it did not operate. This type of fuel pump did not allow fuel bypass in the event of failure. According to the engine manufacturer’s fuel system installation instructions and a safety directive published by the airframe manufacturer, a bypass fuel line should be installed in the event of failure of the electric fuel pump, in order to enable a continuous supply of fuel to the engine. Based on the available information, it is likely that the pilot experienced a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation following the failure of the electric fuel pump. Also causal was the pilot’s decision to install the electric fuel pump with no bypass fuel line, contrary to published guidance from the airframe and engine manufacturers.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.