Pitts MODEL 12 N512P

Summary

On 14 January 2023 at about 20:25 local time, a Pitts MODEL 12 registered N512P was involved in an accident near Conroe, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, 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

14 January 2023 at 20:25

Classification

Accident

Location

Conroe, Texas, United States

Coordinates

30.3062, -95.4627

Aircraft

Pitts MODEL 12

Registration

N512P

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

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN23LA081

1 person was seriously injured.

The failure of the engine-driven fuel pump, which resulted in a total loss of engine power. Contributing to the failure of the fuel pump was an unknown non-ferrous metallic debris that was noted throughout the airplane’s fuel system.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot and passenger were conducting a local flight to practice maneuvers and landings. About 3 to 4 minutes after takeoff, and 2,000 ft above ground level, the pilot noticed a master warning light on instrument panel but did not notice any anomalies or problems. The pilot elected to return to the airport, and about 1 minute later the engine sustained a series of power loss fluctuations. The pilot attempted to troubleshoot the problem but was unsuccessful and the engine lost total power. Unable to reach the airport or a field due to a high descent rate, the pilot performed a forced landing to a nearby roadway. During the landing, the airplane impacted a powerline and terrain before coming to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed non-ferrous metallic debris throughout the entire fuel system; the source of the debris was unable to be determined. Due to a leak noted during a functional test, the engine-driven fuel pump was disassembled. Scratches and scoring marks were noted on the pressure relief valve seat, which allowed fuel into the air side cavity of the fuel pump. It is likely the fuel pump air cavity filled with fuel, which equalized the pump pressure and restricted fuel flow to the engine. The restricted fuel flow resulted in a total loss of engine power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.