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May 31, 2018 · Sorensen Danny S BF9 2 NO Series · N81973

Evanston, WY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 31, 2018
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Evanston, WY
Aircraft
Sorensen Danny S BF9 2 NO Series (2008)
Tail Number
N81973
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA18CA330

The pilot of the biplane reported that he believed he had departed with 38 gallons of fuel in the main fuel tank and 17 gallons in the auxiliary fuel tank. En route, the auxiliary fuel tank ran dry, so he switched to the main fuel tank, which he believed had 35 gallons of fuel remaining. The pilot reported that, while descending to the destination airport, the engine experienced a loss of power. He added that he believed the throttle linkage had broken and that the carburetor was at idle. During the forced landing, he aligned the airplane with a highway and observed four semi-tractor trailers but thought they were ahead of his flightpath. The biplane struck one of the semi-tractor trailers, violently turned right, and then came to rest inverted on the right side of the highway. The biplane sustained substantial damage to the left wings. Postaccident examination revealed that the main fuel tank was empty, and the throttle linkage was intact. The pilot reported that his typical fueling process is to fuel the main fuel tank before fueling the auxiliary fuel tank. He added that he reviewed fuel receipts and found that, before the accident flight, he fueled the auxiliary fuel tank first and, while following his routine, believed that the main fuel tank had already been fueled. This resulted in a departure with 10 gallons of fuel less than planned. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the biplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to fuel the biplane’s main fuel tank before the flight and his inadequate preflight inspection, during which he did not verify the fuel quantity, which resulted in fuel exhaustion

Full Narrative

The pilot of the biplane reported that he believed he had departed with 38 gallons of fuel in the main fuel tank and 17 gallons in the auxiliary fuel tank. En route, the auxiliary fuel tank ran dry, so he switched to the main fuel tank, which he believed had a remaining 35 gallons of fuel. The pilot reported that, while descending to the destination airport, the engine experienced a loss of power. He added that he believed the throttle linkage had broken and the carburetor was at idle. During the forced landing, he aligned the airplane with a highway and observed four semi-tractor trailers, but thought they were ahead of his flight path. The airplane struck one of the semi-tractor trailers, violently turned to the right, and came to rest inverted on the right side of the highway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wings. Postaccident examination revealed that the main fuel tank was empty, and the throttle linkage was intact. The pilot reported that his habitual fueling process is to fuel the main fuel tank before fueling the auxiliary fuel tank. He added that he reviewed fuel receipts and discovered that, before the accident flight, he fueled the auxiliary fuel tank first and, while following his routine, believed that the main fuel tank had already been fueled. This resulted in a departure with 10 gallons of fuel less than planned. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the biplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:45 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSorensen Danny S BF9 2 NO Series
Tail NumberN81973
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsVendenyev · M-14P · Reciprocating · 360
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 68 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 19 kt, gusting 25 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point28 C
Altimeter29.82 inHg
Observation Time23:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data