Savage Air LLC EPIC LT accident near San Saba, Texas, August 4, 2012
On August 4, 2012 at about 3:30 pm local time, a 2007 Savage Air LLC EPIC LT, an amateur-built aircraft,, registered N603JS, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (climb to cruise) near San Saba, Texas (San Saba County Muni Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The improper installation of flexible fuel lines, which resulted in a partial collapse of the inner wall of the fuel lines and a subsequent a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 4, 2012 · about 3:30 pm local time
- Place
- San Saba, Texas · San Saba County Muni Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Savage Air LLC EPIC LT, built 2007, amateur-built
- Registration
- N603JS · registry record · serial 015
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the experimental, amateur-built airplane was in cruise climb when he noticed a gradual loss of fuel pressure, so he diverted to a nearby airport. The engine fuel pressure continued to drop, and the engine then lost total power. The airplane landed hard on the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the composite wing structure and breached both wing fuel tanks. An examination of the engine revealed no defects or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. An examination of the steel-braided flexible fuel lines removed from the electric fuel boost pump showed that two of the lines were installed twisted and that one of the lines was kinked and installed with a bend radius tighter than specified. The improper installation of the fuel lines caused a permanent set in the steel braid and a subsequent partial collapse of the inner wall of the fuel lines, which resulted in the partial blockage of fuel flow through the line and a subsequent loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail during enroute (climb to cruise) defining event
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (descent)
- Abrupt maneuver during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel distribution › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Installation › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,606 hours in all; 389 in this make and model; 1,449 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 12, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 536 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, May 18, 2012
- Maximum gross weight: 7,300 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: P&W Canada PT6A-67A (turboprop); 536 hours total
- Operator: Savage Air LLC
The flight
- Departed from: RYW Lago Vista TX at 3:05 pm
- Destination: APA Denver CO
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 13, 3,800 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 3:35 pm from KAQO, 27 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N603JS the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.