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September 29, 1995 · Menear Pitts S-1S · N21WM

Boynton Beach, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 29, 1995
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Boynton Beach, FL
Aircraft
Menear Pitts S-1S
Tail Number
N21WM
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA95LA240

THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER ON CLIMB OUT AT 2,500 FEET AGL. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING BY SPIRALING DOWN OVER THE AIRPORT AND OVERSHOT THE RUNWAY. DURING THE SPIRAL THE ENGINE STARTED AND STOPPED 3 TO 4 TIMES. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN NEAR THE END OF THE RUNWAY FAST, AND BECAME AIRBORNE AGAIN WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED AND STOPPED. THE PILOT MANEUVERED THE AIRPLANE BELOW A POWER LINE, ACROSS A ROAD AND STARTED A TURN TO AVOID A HOUSING AREA. THE AIRPLANE STALLED, COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN, AND NOSED OVER INTO A CANAL. REVIEW OF REFUELING RECORDS SHOWED THE AIRPLANE HAD FLOWN 7.31 HOURS ON 50.2 GALLONS OF FUEL. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE BY THE FAA REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PRECRASH FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER DECISION TO MAKE A GO-AROUND AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED (VSO) RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL. THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION WAS A FACTOR.

Full Narrative

On September 29, 1995, about 1530 eastern daylight time, a Menear, Pitts S-1S, N21WM, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, experienced a reported total loss of engine power during a climb in the vicinity of Boynton Beach, Florida, and crashed during the forced landing. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported minor injuries. The flight originated from Willis Glider Port, Boynton Beach, Florida, about 5 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated he was climbing at 2,500 feet agl when the engine quit. He spiraled down over the airport to make a forced landing at the airport, but overshot the runway. During the spiral the engine started and stopped three to four times. He touched down near the end of the runway with a high airspeed, and became airborne again when the engine started and stopped again. He flew the airplane under a power line, across a highway, and made a left turn to avoid a housing area. During the turn the airplane stalled, collided with the terrain, and nosed over into a canal. An airframe and powerplants mechanic stated he has been performing cosmetic restoration on the airplane since July 1994. As part of the restoration the fuel tank was drained and 13 gallons of fuel was added to the airplane on April 15, 1995, at a tach time of 370.40. Additional fuel was added on the following dates: September 14, 1995, 5.0 gallons, September 15, 1995, 7.0 gallons, September 19, 1995, 9.0 gallons, September 21, 1995, 5.0 gallons, September 25, 1995, 4.0 gallons, and September 29, 1995, 7.2 gallons. The mechanic stated when he arrived at the crash site the fire department had placed booms in the water to keep a 6-foot fuel slick from moving. When the airplane was removed from the water, the tach time indicated 377.71, and no gas was present in the gascolator. When the mechanic asked the fire department personnel how much fuel that would equate to, they stated about 1 gallon. The Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Report states, "Aircraft apparently ran out of fuel while trying to land at Willis Glider Port, flew across SR441, crashed into empty field and bounced into canal. amount of fuel spilled was negligible". Examination of the engine assembly and accessories by the FAA revealed no evidence of a failure.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 EDT
Nearest AirportWillis Glider Port (0nm)
Runway9
Runway Length3000 ft
Runway Width300 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMenear Pitts S-1S
Tail NumberN21WM
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 31 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind130° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time18:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data