Flight Design GMBH CTSW accident near Venice, Florida, March 16, 2012
On March 16, 2012 at about 3:00 pm local time, a Flight Design GMBH CTSW, registered N379CT, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Venice, Florida (Venice Municiapl Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power due to a loss of fuel pressure. The cause for the loss of fuel pressure could not be determined during postaccident testing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 16, 2012 · about 3:00 pm local time
- Place
- Venice, Florida · Venice Municiapl Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Flight Design GMBH CTSW · all CTSWs on the register
- Registration
- N379CT · registry record · serial 06-02-11
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Shortly after initiating the takeoff, a low fuel pressure warning activated on the airplane’s engine monitoring system. The engine experienced a total loss of power several seconds later, and the pilot performed a forced landing to the overrun area beyond the departure end of the runway. During the landing roll, the airplane struck the airport perimeter fence and was substantially damaged. The engine and fuel system were examined following the accident, and a successful postaccident test run of the engine and fuel pump did not reveal any reason for the loss of power. The examination did reveal the presence of a sand-like particulate at one fuel system screen and in one of the engine’s two carburetors. Analysis of data from the airplane’s engine monitoring system showed that following the initial loss of fuel pressure, it was briefly restored, before the engine lost power completely and the fuel pressure again fell.
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
- Loss of engine power (total) during initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,621 hours in all; 45 in this make and model; 3,200 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 25, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 393 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 16, 2011; 83 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,323 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912ULS (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Manatee Aviation Enterprises INC
The flight
- Departed from: VNC Venice FL at 2:45 pm
- Destination: PGD Punta Gorda FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 04, 5,000 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 100° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.23 inHg
- Observation at 6:55 pm from VNC
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
8 documents, released by the NTSB on September 4, 2013. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 12 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for Record - Engine Examination/test Summary | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Photo 1 - Airplane from Right (Photo Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Photo 2 - Airplane from Left (Photo Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Photo 3 - Gascolator Screen (Photo Courtesy of Rotech) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Photo 4 - Particulate Found Inside Left Carburetor (Photo Courtesy of Rotech) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Engine Monitor Tabular Data | data file | Download |
| 8 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.