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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

July 10, 2008 · Piper PA-18A-150 · N7471D

Camarillo, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 10, 2008
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Camarillo, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-18A-150
Tail Number
N7471D
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX08CA224

The pilot stated that he was descending on a 5-mile final approach for the runway when the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. He said that there were no abnormal indications on the engine gauges, and he believed he had exhausted all useable fuel in the two right wing fuel tanks. He immediately switched the fuel selector to the left wing tank. The engine did not regain power, so the pilot verified that the magneto switches were on. According to the pilot, there is no electric starter installed on the engine. The airplane continued to descend, and about 500 feet above the ground, the propeller stopped rotating. The pilot released the banner he was towing, and he made a forced landing in a rough field. The airplane nosed over during the landing rollout, and the left wing's structure was damaged. The pilot reported that the airplane was equipped with three fuel tanks, two in the right wing and one in the left wing. Each tank holds 18 gallons of fuel, for a total of 54 gallons that provides about a 6-hour endurance. During banner tow operations the fuel burn off rate is about 8 gallons per hour. All fuel tanks were filled to capacity prior to the pilot's 1040 takeoff. The airplane had been airborne about 4 hours when the loss of power occurred.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

Full Narrative

In a written report, the pilot stated that he was in contact with the Camarillo Airport (CMA) air traffic control tower, descending on a 5-mile final approach for the runway, when the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. He stated that there were no "abnormal" indications on the engine gauges, and he believed he had exhausted all useable fuel in the two right wing fuel tanks. He immediately switched the fuel selector to the left wing tank. The engine did not regain power, so the pilot verified that the magneto switches were on. According to the pilot, there is no electric starter installed for the engine. The airplane continued to descend, and about 500 feet above the ground, the propeller stopped rotating. The pilot released the banner he was towing, and he made a forced landing in a rough field about 1442. The airplane nosed over during the landing rollout, and the left wing's structure was damaged. The pilot reported that the airplane was equipped with three fuel tanks, two in the right wing and one in the left wing. Each tank holds 18 gallons of fuel, for a total of 54 gallons. During banner tow operations the fuel burn off rate is about 8 gallons per hour. All fuel tanks were filled to capacity prior to the pilot's 1040 takeoff. At the nominal engine power setting the pilot indicated he typically uses, the airplane's endurance is about 6 hours. In the pilot's completed "Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident" report he wrote that the accident would have been prevented if he had switched to the left fuel tank before the right tanks ran out of fuel.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:43 PDT
Nearest AirportCamarillo (5nm)
Runway26
Runway Length6013 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18A-150
Tail NumberN7471D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 28 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data