NTSB Factual Report

On July 25, 1996, at 0930 central daylight time, a Kraft Air Master home built airplane, N222Y, owned and operated by a private owner, was destroyed during an emergency landing following a loss of engine power near Katy, Texas. The student pilot and pilot rated passenger were fatally injured. The flight was operating under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from the West Houston Airport, Houston, Texas, about one hour and 45 minutes before the accident.

Witnesses reported to a FAA inspector that the airplane was experiencing "engine problems." During the attempted forced landing, the airplane struck power lines and a fence, separating the tail section from the main fuselage.

The pilot-in-command was the designer and builder of the prototype experimental airplane, and he did not possess a valid medical certificate or pilot's certificate with appropriate ratings at the time of the accident. He was denied a third class medical certificate in 1993 because of diabetes. At the time of his application for a medical certificate, he listed his total civilian flight time as 70 hours. At the time of the accident, the registered owner estimated that he had approximately 150 hours of flight time.

The purpose of the flight was to familiarize the pilot rated passenger with the airplane, which he was considering purchasing. The pilot rated passenger was issued a private pilot certificate on July 30, 1978. His last biennial flight review was on December 22, 1994. At the time of his application for a medical certificate, on May 29, 1996, he listed his total civilian flight time as 750 hours.

The fuel system of the accident airplane was configured so that the engine fed only from the center fuel tank. The right and left wing fuel tanks store fuel until the pilot transfers it into the center tank. Both the right and left fuel tanks have a transfer pump. To transfer fuel, the pilot turns on the transfer pump, and opens the fuel valve to allow fuel to flow from the left or/and right tank to the center tank. Once the fuel is in the center tank, the valve is closed and the pumps turned off. If the valve is left opened, the pumps must be left running to prevent the fuel from draining back into the wing tanks.

On scene investigation of the wreckage by the FAA inspector revealed that the switches for both of the transfer pumps were found in the "on" position. However, the fuel valve was found in the closed position. All three fuel tanks were destroyed; however, the fuel quantity gauges indicated the center tank was empty, the left wing tank was 3/4 full, and the right wing tank was 1/2 full. Fire department personnel reported that there was a strong odor of fuel when they arrived at the accident site.

Autopsies were performed on both pilots by Tommy J. Brown, D.O., of the Office of the Medical Examiner of Harris County, on July 25, 1996. Toxicological findings were negative for both pilots.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's improper positioning of the fuel tank selector, which resulted in fuel starvation, loss of engine power, and a forced landing. The lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing was a related factor.