Amateur-built LEGEND accident near Glenwood, Florida, June 27, 2012
On June 27, 2012 at about 2:28 pm local time, a amateur-built LEGEND, registered N3YZ, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Glenwood, Florida. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power due to the airplane builder’s improper installation of the fuel control unit condition lever cables, which resulted in the airplane’s subsequent forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 27, 2012 · about 2:28 pm local time
- Place
- Glenwood, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built LEGEND
- Registration
- N3YZ · registry record · serial 2024
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The amateur-built airplane was in cruise flight at 3,000 feet above ground level when it experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot performed a forced landing to a field, and the airplane sustained substantial damage during the landing. Postaccident examination revealed that the fuel control unit (FCU) condition lever was 20 degrees out of its run position. Further examination of the condition lever revealed that the condition lever’s outer cable had been improperly installed, which allowed the uncommanded aft movement of the condition lever, which could result in a loss of engine power. A broken engine mount, which was likely the result of impact-related forces, was also found. This broken engine mount resulted in a slight turbine misalignment. When the turbine was realigned, the FCU condition lever settings were normal. The engine was subsequently started and operated normally with no irregular noises or hesitation. According to the engine manufacturer’s representative, if the condition lever had been installed properly, there should have been no such movement of the condition lever.
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 enroute (cruise) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine fuel and control › (general) › Incorrect service/maintenance
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Installation › Owner/builder
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 14,700 hours in all; 3 in this make and model; 91 in the last 90 days; 16 in the last 30 days; 12,800 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 27, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 177 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, March 27, 2012; 4 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,300 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Walter 601D (turboprop); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: DED Deland FL at 2:24 pm
- Destination: ORF Norfolk VA
- Flight plan: IFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 1,400 ft; a few clouds at 800 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 29.85 inHg
- Observation at 2:38 pm from DAB
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
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.
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.