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August 9, 2003 · Lefever-Paul Skybolt · N94PL

Mt. Hamilton, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 9, 2003
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Mt. Hamilton, CA
Aircraft
Lefever-Paul Skybolt
Tail Number
N94PL
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX03LA255

The pilot reported that while he was cruising at 5,500 mean sea level the engine quit, and he thought that he had run out of fuel. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector who responded to the accident site was not able to locate any fuel in any of the fuel tanks, and there was no indication of a fuel leak.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision, which resulted in a loss of engine power.

Full Narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 9, 2003, about 0945 Pacific daylight time, a Lefever experimental Skybolt, N94PL, had a hard landing while making an emergency landing to a field near Mount Hamilton, California. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal cross-country flight departed Lodi Airport Lodi, California, about 0900 en route to San Martin, California. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The primary wreckage was at 37 degrees 22 minutes north latitude and 121 degrees 38 minutes west longitude. The pilot reported that while he was cruising at 5500 msl the engine quit. He thought that he had run out of fuel. The FAA inspector who responded to the accident site was not able to locate any fuel in any of the fuel tanks. There also was no indication of any fuel leaks. The pilot said he had flown about 1and 3/4 hours since refueling the airplane. The airplane holds enough fuel in the main tanks for approximately two hours flight time. The airplane is equipped with an additional fuel tank, but the pilot said he only uses it for ferry flights. PERSONNEL INFORMATION A review of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman records revealed the pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with a free ballon rating, and a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine, and multi-engine land ratings. The pilot held an expired third class medical certificate that was issued on September 22, 1998. It had the limitations that the pilot must wear corrective lenses glasses for distant vision. The pilot reported an estimated total flight time of 2,086 hours. He logged 24.4 hours in the last 90 days, and 1.3 in the last 30 days. He had en estimated 95 hours in this make and model. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The airplane was a experimental Lefever-Paul, Skybolt, serial number 55118501. A review of the airplane's logbooks revealed a total airframe time of 1,451 hours at the last annual inspection. An annual inspection was completed on August 1, 2003. The airplane had 1.3 hours since the annual inspection at the time of the accident. The airplane had a Teledyne Continental Motors IO-470-F engine, serial number 76357-1F. Total time on the engine at the last annual inspection was 623 hours since overhaul. The pilot reported no unresolved maintenance discrepancies against the airplane prior to departure.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:45 PDT
Nearest AirportReid-Hillview Of Santa Clara C (7nm E)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLefever-Paul Skybolt
Tail NumberN94PL
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-470-F · Reciprocating · 260
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 43 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 4 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 55
Altimeter30.05 inHg
Observation Time16:47
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data