Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary ERA20CA090

Hickory Valley, TN, USA

Aircraft #1

N113A

Pitts A

Analysis

The pilot reported that the airplane departed with 17.5 gallons of fuel and about 1 hour and 25 minutes after departure the engine lost power. He attempted to restart the engine using the boost pump to no avail. The pilot elected to make an off-airport landing to a road; during the landing the airplane landed hard and the left main landing gear collapsed resulting in substantial damage to both wings and the firewall.  Both the wing fuel tanks were examined and no evidence of fuel remained in either tank. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported as a safety recommendation that more thoughtfully studying the fuel consumption "break in" period could have prevented the accident.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s improper fuel planning which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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