BREWTON, AL, USA
N78006
Globe GC-1D
THE AIRPLANE RAN OUT OF FUEL AND CRASHED SHORT OF THE DESTINATION AIRPORT. PRIOR TO DEPARTING HOMER, THE PILOT THOUGHT HE HAD TOPPED OFF THE FUEL SYSTEM DURING THE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION. HOWEVER, DURING POSTACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE AT THE ACCIDENT SITE, NO FUEL WAS RECOVERED FROM THE FUEL SYSTEM; THERE WAS NO FUEL SPILLAGE. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATIONS OF THE FUEL SYSTEM DISCLOSED THE FUEL VENT LINE FROM THE RIGHT TANK WAS BLOCKED AND PREVENTED A FULL COMPLIMENT OF FUEL (APPROXIMATELY 9 GALLONS) FROM BEING PUMPED INTO THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE BLOCKAGE WAS 18 INCHES AFT THE RIGHT TANK AT THE LOWEST POINT OF THE VENT SYSTEM. LATER MODELS OF THE SWIFT INCORPORATED A VENT SYSTEM VOID OF LOW POINTS AND LESS SUBJECT TO DEBRIS ACCUMULATION.
A BLOCKAGE OF THE FUEL VENT SYSTEM WHICH PREVENTED THE PILOT FROM TOPPING OFF THE FUEL SYSTEM. A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE INADEQUATE DESIGN BY THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FUEL VENT SYSTEM.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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