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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

February 21, 2002 · North American T28C · N71546

Fredericksburg, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 21, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Fredericksburg, TX
Aircraft
North American T28C
Tail Number
N71546
Operator
Gordon B Richardson Ii
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW02LA083

The pilot reported that prior to a day cross-country flight, the airplane was topped with 155 gallons of fuel, and subsequently, flown for 1 hour 25 minutes to the next destination. The airplane was not fueled at that destination, and the flight departed for the subsequent destination. During the descent, the engine lost total power approximately 4 nautical miles east of the destination airport. The pilot landed the airplane in a rough field. The FAA inspector, who responded to the site, drained approximately 12 ounces of fuel from the airplane. The integrity of the fuel system was not compromised.

NTSB Probable Cause

the failure of the pilot to refuel the airplane resulting in fuel exhaustion. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Full Narrative

On February 21, 2002, at 1300 central standard time, a North American T28C, N71546, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Fredericksburg, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was owned by a private individual and operated under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight originated from Caldwell, Texas, at 1220. On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that the airplane was topped with 155 gallons of fuel at Levelland, Texas. Subsequently, the airplane was flown cross-country for 1 hour 25 minutes to the destination of Caldwell, Texas. The airplane was not fueled at Caldwell, and the flight departed for Fredericksburg. During the descent to the Fredericksburg Gillespie County Airport, the engine lost total power. The pilot landed the airplane, gear retracted, in a rough field approximately 4 nautical miles east of the destination airport. Substantial damage occurred to the firewall, cowling, and fuselage. The engine and propeller were damaged. The FAA inspector, who responded to the site, found the airplane resting upright with structural damage to the firewall and the lower fuselage. The FAA inspector drained approximately 12 ounces of fuel from the airplane. The integrity of the fuel system was not compromised.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 CST
Nearest AirportFredericksburg (4nm E)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftNorth American T28C
Tail NumberN71546
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorGordon B Richardson Ii
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming (Curtis-Wright) · R1820-103A86A · Reciprocating · 1475
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 32 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 12 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data