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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

April 27, 1994 · Pitts S2B · N93AN

Williamstown, NJ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 27, 1994
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Williamstown, NJ
Aircraft
Pitts S2B
Tail Number
N93AN
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO94LA079

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE INDICATED FUEL ON START UP WAS APPROXIMATELY 5/8 MAIN TANK (14 GALLONS). AFTER LEVELING OFF, HE CHECKED THE INSTRUMENTS AND NOTED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL WAS ABOUT 1/8TH FUEL (2.5 GALLONS). HE ELECTED TO LAND AT THE NEAREST AIRPORT, CROSS KEYS, NEW JERSEY, WHICH WAS 12 MILES TO THE EAST. THE AIRPLANE LOST TOTAL POWER ABOUT 2 MILES WEST OF CROSS KEYS. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED THE FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY. ALSO, NO ANOMALIES WERE FOUND DURING THE INSPECTION. AN ENGINE TEST RUN WAS PERFORMED UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE FAA, AND THE REPORT STATED, 'THIS ENGINE MET ALL NEW ENGINE TEST PARAMETERS, AS NO FAULT IN THE ENGINE COULD BE FOUND.'

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to accurately determine the fuel supply, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent forced landing.

Full Narrative

On April 27, 1994, about 1425 eastern daylight time, a Pitts S2B, N93AN, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in Williamstown, New Jersey. The pilot and passenger received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. There was no flight plan for the flight being conducted under CFR Part 91. In the NTSB form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated, I departed Wilmington, DE (ILG) with one passenger, Diana Combs, at approximately 1410 local time for a VFR flight to the east (intended destination: Old Bridge, New Jersey (3N6). Indicated fuel at start-up was approximately 5/8th main tank (auxiliary tank empty). Upon completing leaning procedure after level-off from initial climb to 2500 feet MSL, I performed a routine instrument check and noted the fuel level to indicate approximately 1/8th. I elected to land at the closest airport, which was Cross Keys, NJ (17N), straight ahead at approximately 12 nautical miles. Powerplant failure occurred approximately 2 miles west of Cross Keys, and I executed a forced landing in a farm field. Post accident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector revealed that the fuel tanks were empty. Additionally, the examination revealed no defects. An engine test run was performed by Textron Lycoming under the supervision of a FAA Inspector. In the report of the engine test run results, submitted by the FAA Inspector, it stated, "This engine met all new engine test parameters, as no fault in the engine could be found."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:24 EDT
Nearest AirportCross Keys (2nm W)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPitts S2B
Tail NumberN93AN
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · AEIO-540-D4AS · Reciprocating · 260
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 53 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 14 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time18:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data