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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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July 5, 2007 · Saunders Stiletto · N337DS

Quartzsite, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 5, 2007
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Quartzsite, AZ
Aircraft
Saunders Stiletto
Tail Number
N337DS
Operator
William Oertel
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX07CA205

Fuel exhaustion occurred during cruise flight, and the airplane collided with a vehicle on a highway during the ensuing forced landing. Earlier during the day the pilot had landed to refuel. Prior to taking off he had not confirmed that the right wing's fuel tank cap was secured. While flying en route, no evidence of any mechanical malfunction was noted prior to experiencing the sudden loss of all engine power. The pilot reported that he subsequently inspected his airplane and observed that the right wing's fuel tank cap was missing. The pilot stated that fuel in the tank had evidently ported overboard during flight. He indicated that the accident could have been prevented had he performed a better preflight inspection.

NTSB Probable Cause

Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection during which he failed to insure security of the fuel tank's cap.

Full Narrative

On July 5, 2007, about 1630 mountain standard time, a Saunders Stiletto, N337DS, experienced a total loss of engine power during cruise flight and the pilot made a forced landing on Interstate Highway 10, about 25 miles east of Quartzsite, Arizona. During flare, the experimental homebuilt airplane impacted a vehicle and was substantially damaged. The airplane was owned and operated by a private individual. The commercial pilot was not injured, and the passenger sustained a minor injury. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the personal flight, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and it originated from Chandler, Arizona, about 1545. The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that earlier during the day his airplane had been serviced with fuel at Chandler. The pilot stated that he did not confirm that the right wing's fuel cap had been secured prior to taking off on the accident flight. While flying en route, no evidence of any mechanical malfunction was noted. Suddenly, all engine power was lost and the pilot made a forced landing on the highway. The airplane impacted a vehicle during landing. The pilot reported that he subsequently inspected his airplane and observed that the right wing's fuel cap was missing. The pilot stated that fuel in the tank had evidently ported overboard during flight. The pilot indicated that the accident could have been prevented had he performed a better preflight inspection.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 MST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft

AircraftSaunders Stiletto
Tail NumberN337DS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWilliam Oertel
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · LIO-360-C1E6 · Reciprocating · 200

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 64 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point12 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data