BUTTERHOF ANTHONY J GINNY B

South Harrison Township, NJ — April 2, 2016

Event Information

DateApril 2, 2016
Event TypeACC
NTSB NumberERA16LA153
Event ID20160412X90041
LocationSouth Harrison Township, NJ
CountryUSA
Coordinates39.68889, -75.25611
Highest InjuryMINR

Aircraft

MakeBUTTERHOF ANTHONY J
ModelGINNY B
CategoryAIR
FAR Part091
Aircraft DamageSUBS

Conditions

Light ConditionDAYL
WeatherVMC

Injuries

Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
None0
Total Injured1

Event Location

Probable Cause

The pilot/mechanic's failure to safety-wire the gascolator bale clamp, which resulted in a fuel leak and subsequent total loss of engine power.

Full Narrative

On April 2, 2016, about 1530 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Ginny B, N349E, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in South Harrison Township, New Jersey. The pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight from Alloway Airfield (NJ02), Alloway, New Jersey. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.According to the pilot, who also held an airframe and powerplant (A&P) certificate, the flight was the first since he overhauled and installed a Continental O-200 engine. The pilot took off about 1500, and headed north from the airport. About 30 minutes later, the engine experienced a sudden and complete loss of power, and the pilot could not get it restarted. The pilot then completed a forced landing to a grassy field, where the airplane nosed over. The airplane's wing spar, vertical stabilizer, and right wing struts were substantially damaged.

The pilot and another A&P rated mechanic subsequently performed a conditional inspection on the airplane, where they found that fuel had leaked from the gascolater between the glass cup and the metal frame. They also noted that the bale clamp was not safety-wired, which allowed it to loosen and relax the seal between the gascolator glass cup and its metal frame.

About This NTSB Record

This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.

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