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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

August 14, 2005 · Barnes Lancair Legacy · N508DB

Groveland, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 14, 2005
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Groveland, CA
Aircraft
Barnes Lancair Legacy
Tail Number
N508DB
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX05LA267

Following fuel exhaustion in cruise flight, the pilot made a forced landing in an open field. The pilot elected to land with the landing gear retracted. The airplane was substantially damaged as it slid to a stop and hit a fence. The pilot said that prior to takeoff he believed he had 18 gallons of fuel onboard for the trip that he calculated would require 8 gallons. Upon his examination of the airplane the pilot noted that the fuel quantity sensors were improperly calibrated. The pilot reported that he did not experience any malfunction or failure with his airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The inaccurate fuel quantity sensors and the pilot's failure to verify the fuel quantity on board prior to takeoff, which resulted in fuel exhaustion.

Full Narrative

On August 14, 2005, about 0740 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Barnes Lancair Legacy, N508DB, experienced a total loss of engine power during cruise flight and the pilot made a forced landing in an open field about 6 miles west of the Pine Mountain Lake (uncontrolled) Airport, Groveland, California. The pilot elected to land with the landing gear retracted. The airplane was substantially damaged as it slid to a stop and impacted a fence. The private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The personal flight was performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and it originated from San Jose, California, about 0715. The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that he believed he had taken off with 18 gallons of fuel on board as indicated by the fuel gauges. He estimated that the required fuel for his planned flight was between 8 and 9 gallons, but he had experienced fuel exhaustion while en route. He subsequently reported that upon his examination of the airplane he noted the fuel sensors were improperly calibrated. The pilot reported that he did not experience any malfunction or failure with his airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:40 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBarnes Lancair Legacy
Tail NumberN508DB
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-550 · Reciprocating · 370

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 40 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 6 kt
Visibility9 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 54
Altimeter29.82 inHg
Observation Time14:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data