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NTSB Report
July 16, 1993 · Hancock- Harris Pitts Special Pitts SPEC · N3186
Independent Hil, VA
Overview
Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 16, 1993
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Independent Hil, VA
Aircraft
Hancock- Harris Pitts Special Pitts SPEC
Tail Number
N3186
Operator
Steven Curelop
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO93LA125
THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING HIS PREFLIGHT/PLANNING PREPARATION HE MISREAD THE FUEL GAGE. HE REPORTED THAT HE DEPARTED WITH ALMOST EMPTY TANKS AND RAN OUT OF FUEL MINUTES LATER. HE ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION NOR WEATHER PROBLEMS. THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A BACKYARD COLLIDING WITH A SHED.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.
Full Narrative
On Friday, July 16, 1993, about 1534 eastern daylight time, N3186, a Pitts Special, owned and operated by Steve Curelop of Washington, DC, crashed in a backyard in Independent Hill, Virginia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The certificated private pilot was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The flight was operated under 14 CFR 91 and originated in Fort Washington, Maryland. The pilot reported that during the preflight inspection he misread the fuel gage. He stated that he departed, "with almost empty tank and ran out of fuel minutes later. There was no mechanical malfunction, no weather problem. Accident was pilot error during preflight." The airplane lost engine power and a forced landing was made in a backyard and the airplane collided with a shed.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:34 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHancock- Harris Pitts Special Pitts SPEC
Tail NumberN3186
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSteven Curelop
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A3A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 47 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 8 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time19:55
Weather SourceWFAC