Probable cause
The fuel flow divider inlet line’s B-nut coming loose during takeoff, resulting in a total loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to adequately tighten the B-nut during recent maintenance.
NTSB analysis
Shortly after takeoff, experimental amateur-built airplane's engine lost all power. The pilot/owner performed a forced landing onto a road, and, during the landing flare, the main landing gear caught the edge of the road and collapsed. The airplane struck a pit and sustained substantial damage. The pilot had recently reinstalled the engine's fuel servo following the servo's overhaul, and this was the first flight since the installation. Postaccident examination revealed that the fuel line's B-nut fitting connecting the fuel servo to the fuel flow divider was about 1 1/3 turns loose. It is likely that the pilot had either forgotten to tighten the fitting or had not applied sufficient torque during reinstallation of the servo.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR14LA323 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 1, 2014
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Fort Bridger, Wyoming
- Nearest airport
- Fort Bridger (FBR)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built S-16
- N-number
- N116GS
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2001
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.