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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

December 22, 2019 · Cosmos Phase II · N5057Z

Lake Havasu City, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 22, 2019
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Lake Havasu City, AZ
Aircraft
Cosmos Phase II (2000)
Tail Number
N5057Z
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR20CA056

The pilot reported that, while the trike was at cruise flight about 800 ft above ground level, the engine lost power. He attempted to restart the engine to no avail and then initiated a landing in open desert. During the landing roll, the trike impacted a large boulder. Postaccident examination of the trike revealed that it had run out of fuel. The pilot added that the trike was not equipped with a fuel quantity gauge and that the only way to verify the fuel level was to visually look in the fuel tank. Additionally, he thought he had a full tank of fuel before takeoff. The trike sustained substantial damage to the forward upright wing support tubes. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the trike that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, which resulted from the pilot's inadequate preflight fuel inspection.

Full Narrative

The private pilot reported that during cruise flight at an altitude of about 800 ft above ground level, the engine lost power. Despite his attempt, he could not restart the engine and initiated a landing in the open desert. During the landing roll, the aircraft impacted a large boulder. The pilot stated that the examination of the trike after the accident revealed that he had ran out of gas. The pilot added that the trike was not equipped with a fuel quantity gauge, and that the only way to verify the fuel level was visually looking into the fuel tank. Additionally, he thought he had a full tank of gas prior to takeoff.The trike sustained substantial damage to the forward upright wing support tubes. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the trike that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 MST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCosmos Phase II
Tail NumberN5057Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 503 · Reciprocating · 50
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 66 · Third Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 34 C
Altimeter30.07 inHg
Observation Time16:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data