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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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April 5, 2001 · Empson F4UCORSAIR · N914DA

Baton Rouge, LA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 5, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Baton Rouge, LA
Aircraft
Empson F4UCORSAIR
Tail Number
N914DA
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW01LA093

Based upon the pilot's preflight planning, the homebuilt experimental airplane should have reached the destination airport with 1/2 hour of fuel reserve. The pilot was instructed to fly the airplane on a 3-mile base for runway 22R, and subsequently cleared to land the airplane on runway 22R. Before the base to final turn, the pilot reported to the tower controller that the engine "stopped." Subsequently, the pilot performed the emergency procedures and informed the tower controller that the flight would not make the runway. During the forced landing in a field, the airplane came to rest against a fence and fence post. The FAA inspector, who responded to the site, reported "fuel exhaustion." The pilot stated "this accident could have been prevented if I had used the wind information available at the time of departure and allowed for poor navigation, [and] more fuel burned than anticipated."

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inadequate preflight planning resulting in fuel exhaustion during approach. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Full Narrative

On April 5, 2001, at 1516 central daylight time, an Empson F4UCorsair, homebuilt experimental airplane, N914DA, sustained substantial damage when it struck a fence during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The airplane was built, owned and operated by the pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The commercial pilot, sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-county flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight departed Conroe, Texas, at 1310. On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that the planned destination was Lakeland, Florida, with the first refueling stop at Baton Rouge. Based upon his preflight planning, the airplane should have 1/2 hour of fuel remaining upon landing at Baton Rouge. He obtained a weather briefing from "flight service 10 minutes before departure, noting only the ceiling and visibility." The aircraft was fueled prior to the departure from Conroe, and the pilot used GPS navigation direct to Baton Rouge. The pilot was instructed to fly the airplane on a 3-mile base for runway 22R at the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, and subsequently the pilot was cleared to land the airplane on runway 22R. Before turning the airplane for the final approach, the engine "stopped." The pilot performed the emergency procedures and informed the tower controller that the flight would not make the runway. During the off airport landing in a field, the airplane slid and came to rest against a fence and fence post. The pilot reported that both spars of the left wing separated on impact. The FAA inspector, who responded to the site, reported "fuel exhaustion." The pilot stated "this accident could have been prevented if I had used the wind information available at the time of departure and allowed for poor navigation, [and] more fuel burned than anticipated."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:16 CDT
Nearest AirportBaton Rouge Metropolitan (3nm N)
Runway22R
Runway Length6900 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftEmpson F4UCORSAIR
Tail NumberN914DA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-250-A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 49 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 12 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter30.12 inHg
Observation Time20:30
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data