Rose-Rhinehart A4-C
Longmont, CO — June 19, 2010
Event Information
| Date | June 19, 2010 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | CEN10CA327 |
| Event ID | 20100620X45959 |
| Location | Longmont, CO |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 40.12305, -105.16583 |
| Airport | Colorado Antique Field |
| Highest Injury | MINR |
Aircraft
| Make | Rose-Rhinehart |
| Model | A4-C |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 1 |
| None | 0 |
| Total Injured | 1 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's failure to open the fuel valve, resulting a loss of engine power after takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's overall lack of experience in the airplane make/model.
Full Narrative
The pilot said that the aircraft owner had invited him to fly his airplane, which was similar to the biplane he had flown for 400 hours over the past 28 years. This was to be his first time flying this particular airplane. After preflighting and familiarizing himself with the layout of controls and instruments, he started the engine. After completing his pre-takeoff checks and an engine run-up, the pilot taxied to the end of the runway and took off. After climbing to about 500 feet, the pilot “sensed the loss of power.” He lowered the nose and began looking for a place to land. The sink rate was high and it became apparent that he would be unable to clear trees ahead. The pilot aimed for a field below and the airplane “hit the ground hard in a flat attitude and bounced." The landing gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over. Later, the pilot said he checked the fuel valve --- "which was difficult to see due to its position underneath and forward of the instrument panel" --- and found the selector handle to be in the "OFF" position.
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.