Team MINI-MAX N1532W

Summary

On 1 October 2012 at about 01:35 local time, a Team MINI-MAX registered N1532W was involved in an accident near Chula Vista, California, 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

1 October 2012 at 01:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Chula Vista, California, United States

Nearest airport

John Nichol's Field (0CL3)

Coordinates

32.6331, -116.8931

Aircraft

Team MINI-MAX

Registration

N1532W

Category

Airplane

Year built

1991

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Chula Vista → Chula Vista

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR12LA441

1 person had minor injuries.

A complete loss of engine power as a result of fuel starvation due to an unsecured fuel filter, which moved in flight and kinked the flexible fuel line, severely restricting the fuel flow to the carburetor. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate maintenance conducted on the airplane.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was the fourth owner of the experimental amateur-built airplane and had owned it for about 4 months. During that time, he had conducted unspecified repairs and other maintenance on the airplane and had also flown it. The pilot did not hold a Federal Aviation Administration repairman certificate. During the personal flight, the engine experienced a sudden and complete loss of power. Because the airplane was over a suburban neighborhood, the pilot conducted a forced landing in a park. The airplane subsequently struck a light pole and an embankment. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel lines were clear flexible plastic and that an in-line fuel filter was installed between the firewall and the carburetor. When first examined, the fuel line between the filter and the carburetor contained a kinked bend of about 90 degrees, which effectively choked the fuel line and prevented fuel from reaching the carburetor. The filter moved easily with very light force, and when moved manually about an inch fore and aft, the fuel line kinked and unkinked. Although the engine was not started due to the damage to the airplane, the engine turned over easily when the pull starter was activated.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.