Initial Investigation Finds No Obvious Cause For The Plane To Go Down

While witnesses tell of an airplane that was struggling with its engine varying in RPMs, the NTSBs initial examination of the Wright B Flyer which went down on July 30th resulting in the fatal injury of both pilots on board did not reveal anything overtly wrong with the airplane. Of course, there is a lot to be looked into before a probable cause can be established.

File Photo

14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Springfield, OH
Aircraft: WRIGHT B FLYER INC WRIGHT B FLYER, registration: N453WB
Injuries: 2 Fatal.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On July 30, 2011, about 1055 eastern daylight time, N453WB, a Wright B Flyer Inc. Wright B Flyer, experimental amateur-built airplane, owned and operated by Wright B Flyer Inc., sustained substantial damage on impact with terrain during a forced landing near Springfield, Ohio. The pilot and the passenger, both commercial pilots, sustained fatal injuries. The 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 flight test flight was not operating on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The local flight originated from the Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport (SGH), near Springfield, Ohio, approximately 1008.

According to statements given by witness in the area, the airplane's engine sounded like its RPMs varied. The airplane was observed to be flying slow and to bank to the left and right. One witness reported that the airplane spiraled downward.

The airplane was located by first responders in a field about one-half mile northwest of the intersection of South Pitchin Road and North River Road. The airplane had a resting magnetic heading about 210 degrees. The top wing was found displaced forward and deformed downward over the forward portion of the lower wing and engine. The lower forward empennage tubing was buckled and the empennage was bent downward.

An on-scene examination of the wreckage was conducted. A liquid consistent with the smell of aviation gasoline was found in the bottom of the left fuel tank. The right fuel tank and the header tank were compromised and no fuel was found in those tanks. The fuel tank selector valve was selecting the right fuel tank. When electric power was applied, the electric fuel pump emitted drops of a liquid consistent with the smell of aviation gasoline. Flight control cables and linkages were traced and all breaks were consistent with overload. Engine control cables were traced and all breaks were consistent with overload. The left magneto sustained damage and was not able to be tested. The right magneto sustained damage and it produced spark from its center electrode when it was rotated. The top were removed. The spark plugs were gray in color and no anomalies were detected. The engine driven fuel pump was torn off its base.

A disassembly of the engine driven fuel pump revealed no pre-impact anomalies. The fuel injection distribution valve was disassembled and no anomalies were detected. The engine exhibited a thumb compression at all cylinders. The fuel servo sustained damage and its mixture control shaft had separated outboard of its mixture control stop. The hose to the fuel servo screen contained drops of a liquid consistent with the smell of aviation gasoline. The fuel servo screen was free of debris. The oil filter canister was removed and no debris was observed.

A hand held type Garmin Global Positioning System (GPS) was recovered from the wreckage. The airplane had an engine monitor installed. The airplane's engine monitor and the GPS were shipped to the National Transportation Safety Board Recorder Laboratory for readout.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov