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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

October 12, 2010 · Long EZ · N539AD

Leesburg, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 12, 2010
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Leesburg, FL
Aircraft
Long EZ
Tail Number
N539AD
Operator
Allen Dunlap
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA11CA018

According to the pilot, he made a go-around after his first approach due to the aircraft traffic in the area. In diverting his attention to monitoring the traffic, he forgot to switch the fuel tank selection. As the airplane turned onto the crosswind leg of the traffic pattern, the engine began to sputter and subsequently experienced a total loss of power. The pilot switched to the other fuel tank in an attempted to restart the engine, but was unsuccessful. With the airplane's altitude decreasing, he decided to ditch in a lake to avoid a housing area. A postaccident inspection by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane incurred substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage; they found no evidence of preimpact mechanical anomalies. The pilot opined that the engine had a loss of power due to fuel starvation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

Full Narrative

According to the pilot, he made a go-around after his first approach due to traffic in the area. He forgot to switch fuel tanks while dealing with the traffic situation and as the airplane turned crosswind, the engine “started to sputter and then it stopped.” The pilot switched fuel tanks and attempted to restart but was unsuccessful. He did not have enough altitude or time to get the engine restarted and decided to ditch in a lake to avoid a housing area. A post-accident inspection by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane incurred substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage and that no mechanical anomalies existed before the accident. The pilot stated, “It was simply fuel starvation.”

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:50 EDT
Nearest AirportLeesburg International Airport (1nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLong EZ
Tail NumberN539AD
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAllen Dunlap
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E3D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 76 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightNight
Wind300° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter29.97 inHg
Observation Time23:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data