Heiser Robert C Jr PULSAR XP N912RV

Summary

On 17 April 2012 at about 21:00 local time, a Heiser Robert C Jr PULSAR XP registered N912RV, operated by Heiser Robert C JR, was involved in an accident near San Angelo, Texas, 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

17 April 2012 at 21:00

Classification

Accident

Location

San Angelo, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Ducote Air Park (TS65)

Coordinates

31.3583, -100.6128

Aircraft

Heiser Robert C Jr PULSAR XP

Registration

N912RV

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Heiser Robert C JR

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

San Angelo → San Angelo

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN12FA249

1 person had minor injuries.

The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of a blocked fuel vent line.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The sport pilot reported that the airplane had not been flown in 4 months. Six gallons of fuel were in the right tank, and three gallons were in the left tank; right wing tank was selected during the accident flight. The engine start, taxi, and run-up were normal. About 4 minutes after engine start, the pilot taxied onto the runway and departed. He reported that the airplane climbed to about 50 feet above ground level when the engine had a total loss of engine power. The airplane landed in a field and sustained substantial damage. During postaccident examination, the fuel tanks, fuel lines, and fuel strainer were checked for debris and water contamination, but none were observed. The engine-driven mechanical fuel pump, the electric fuel pump, and the engine all were tested and operated normally. However, the outboard section of right wing fuel vent line was blocked by debris. The blockage was removed from the fuel vent line; it measured about ¼-inch wide at its widest and about ½-inch long. The blocked fuel vent line likely created a vacuum, which resulted in fuel starvation to the engine.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.