Fpna A-22 VALOR accident near Mascotte, Florida, March 29, 2022
On March 29, 2022 at about 6:20 pm local time, a 2007 Fpna A-22 VALOR, registered N22LV, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Mascotte, Florida (Grass Roots Airpark airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s incorrect positioning of both wing fuel valves, which resulted in a total 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
- March 29, 2022 · about 6:20 pm local time
- Place
- Mascotte, Florida · Grass Roots Airpark · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Fpna A-22 VALOR, built 2007
- Registration
- N22LV · no longer on the register · serial 192
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The experimental airplane was equipped with a 2.5-gallon header fuel tank, which allowed for about 20 minutes of flight. There was also a fuel tank in each wing that fed the header fuel tank, and each wing fuel tank had a respective fuel shutoff valve. The pilot stated that he recently purchased the airplane, and the fuel valve placards were confusing; however, he did not notice until after the accident that the fuel valve handles have on/off arrows embossed in them. While flying in the airport traffic pattern, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power and the pilot attempted to glide to a runway, but the airplane struck a fence just prior to the runway and came to rest inverted, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing and vertical stabilizer. The pilot added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane and he believed that he flew with the fuel valves in the off position.
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 approach (VFR pattern final)
- Preflight or dispatch event during prior to flight
- Fuel starvation during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action selection › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel selector/shutoff valve › Incorrect use/operation
- Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Related operating info
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 6,000 hours in all; 0.3 in this make and model; 0.3 in the last 90 days; 0.3 in the last 30 days; 1,368 on instruments
- Last flight review: July 19, 2020
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,163 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, January 2, 2022; 66 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,250 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Rotax 912ULS (piston); 1,163 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 3,400 ft by 120 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 010° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.16 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from LEE, 10 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KLEE 291853Z 01003KT 10SM CLR 29/13 A3016
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on May 26, 2022. 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, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Interview Summaries | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Photo Array | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N22LV 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.