Siai-Marchetti L1019 accident near Midland, Texas, October 6, 2002
On October 6, 2002 at about 9:15 pm local time, a Siai-Marchetti L1019, registered N2069W, was substantially damaged in an accident near Midland, Texas (Midland International airport). It was an air show or air race flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power resulting from a loose "B" nut on the line going from the bleed air filter to the fuel control unit. Also causal was the inadequate maintenence of the fuel control unit and filters during the last conditional inspection.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 6, 2002 · about 9:15 pm local time
- Place
- Midland, Texas · Midland International · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Siai-Marchetti L1019
- Registration
- N2069W · registry record · serial NC 057
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Air show or air race flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane struck power lines during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during the takeoff/initial climb. The pilot reported that the engine lost power to flight idle then regained power momentarily; however, the engine would not gain enough torque to sustain flight. Examination revealed that the "B" nut was "finger" loose on the line going from the bleed air filter to the fuel control unit. According to the manufacturer's representative, the recommended torque specification was 80 inch-pounds for the "B" nut, and the engine "condition described [by the pilot] could be caused by a leak in the bleed air system." During the last conditional inspection, the fuel control unit was removed for overhaul and reinstalled, and the fuel control unit and all filters were checked. The mechanic, who performed the conditional inspection, stated that during his removal and reinstallation of the fuel control unit, he removed the fuel and bleed air lines at the fuel control unit. The airplane had flown approximately 5 hours since the conditional inspection. Numerous attempts to obtain the completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) were unsuccessful.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 10,000 hours in all; 3 in this make and model; 300 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: August 30, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,680 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, July 19, 2002; 5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-B15G (turboprop); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MAF Midland TX at 9:10 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 34R, 4,339 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observation at 10:13 pm from MAF, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number FTW03LA006.