Fatal Crash of Experimental Biplane Following Engine Failure and Improper Fuel Management

Casualties unknown • Moosburg, DE

A two-seat Raven 2XS crashed near Moosburg, Germany, after engine issues occurred during a runway flyover, resulting in two fatalities.

What happened

On September 19, 2020, a two-seat, single-engine experimental biplane, a Raven 2XS, was conducting a ferry flight from Meschede-Schüren to Moosburg. While performing a flyover of runway 22 at the Moosburg airfield, the aircraft experienced engine power fluctuations. As the pilot attempted to execute a steep left-hand turn to return to the airfield and land on runway 04, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled flight attitude and stalled. The aircraft struck heavily wooded terrain approximately 180 meters beyond the threshold of runway 22. Both the pilot and the passenger sustained fatal injuries at the scene.

The investigation

The BFU investigation focused on the engine's performance, the aircraft's weight and balance, and the pilot's fuel management. Radar data confirmed the aircraft was flying at approximately 400 feet AGL when the engine issues began. Investigators examined the fuel system, noting that while the aircraft had a main tank and an auxiliary tank, the auxiliary tank still contained 9.5 liters of fuel. Testing with water demonstrated that due to the aircraft's orientation at the crash site, fuel could not flow from the auxiliary tank to the main tank. Furthermore, the investigation found that the engine's fuel distributor was broken at a fitting, and the spark plugs showed signs of high combustion temperatures, indicating a lean fuel mixture. The aircraft's weight was also measured, revealing it was significantly over the maximum takeoff mass.

Findings

  • The primary cause of the accident was engine failure during the runway flyover.
  • The pilot's attempt to execute a steep turn at a low airspeed contributed to the loss of control.
  • The aircraft was overloaded, with a total mass of 1,815 lb against a maximum takeoff mass of 1,700 lb.
  • The center of gravity was located at 92.7 inches, which was behind the maximum allowable rear limit of 90.2 inches, increasing the aircraft's tendency to stall.
  • Improper fuel management occurred; the pilot failed to switch from the auxiliary tank to the main tank in time, leading to fuel starvation.
  • The pilot's decision to perform a flyover rather than a standard approach was not a standard procedure.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by engine failure during a runway flyover, compounded by the pilot's attempt to execute a steep turn at an insufficient airspeed. Contributing factors included improper fuel management leading to fuel starvation, an overloaded aircraft, and an aft center of gravity.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2020-09-19 Amateurbau Raven 2XS accident near Moosburg, DE?

A two-seat Raven 2XS crashed near Moosburg, Germany, after engine issues occurred during a runway flyover, resulting in two fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2020-09-19 involved a Amateurbau Raven 2XS, at Moosburg, DE.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by engine failure during a runway flyover, compounded by the pilot's attempt to execute a steep turn at an insufficient airspeed. Contributing factors included improper fuel management leading to fuel starvation, an overloaded aircraft, and an aft center of gravity.

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