Eller BD-5B N94EC

Summary

On 24 February 1989 at about 20:28 local time, a Eller BD-5B registered N94EC was involved in an accident near Colorado Spring, Colorado, 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

24 February 1989 at 20:28

Classification

Accident

Location

Colorado Spring, Colorado, United States

Nearest airport

Colorado Springs (COS)

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Eller BD-5B

Registration

N94EC

Category

Airplane

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

DEN89LA080

1 person had minor injuries.

THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF FUEL LINES WHICH WERE PINCHED OFF CAUSING FUEL STARVATION WHEN THE GEAR WAS RETRACTED. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE TERRAIN FEATURES INCLUDING LOOSE GRAVEL SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE COMMERCIAL PLT WAS PERFORMING AN INITIAL FLIGHT ON HIS SINGLE PLACE HOMEBUILT ACFT. DURING INITIAL CLIMB, AT 400 FT AGL, THE GEAR AND FLAPS WERE RETRACTED. 10 SECONDS LATER THE ENGINE SEEMED TO LOSE POWER AND THE PLT SWITCHED FUEL TANKS. THE POWER RESUMED AND 20 SECONDS LATER THE PLT SAID THE ENGINE STOPPED. THE PLT MADE A 180 DEG TURN AND ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. THE PLANE UNDERSHOT AND LANDED 100 FEET SHORT OF THE RWY. THE PLT REPORTED THE LANDING GEAR PINCHED THE FLEXIBLE FUEL LINES WHEN RETRACTED. AN FAA INSPECTOR CONCURRED AFTER A POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION. 5 WEEKS LATER THE PLT WROTE A LETTER STATING THAT HE FELT THAT WATER IN THE AUTO FUEL CAUSED THE REPORTED ENGINE STOPPAGE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.