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February 26, 2020 · Lightning Avion Eab Arion Lightning · N1XF

Jerome, ID

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 26, 2020
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Jerome, ID
Aircraft
Lightning Avion Eab Arion Lightning (2012)
Tail Number
N1XF
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR20LA096

The pilot reported that he recently purchased the airplane and experienced inaccurate right fuel gauge readings, so he used a fuel totalizer on the airplane’s instrumentation and conducted frequent fuel calculations. About 24 miles from his destination, he intentionally ran the right fuel tank empty and the engine sputtered and quit. He turned off the right fuel tank selector and turned on the left fuel tank selector. The engine started again for several seconds then it sputtered again. He adjusted the fuel selectors several times, but to no avail. Unable to make the airport, he initiated an off-field landing. As the airplane descended, the pilot observed several obstacles. As he made a left turn to avoid them, the left wing stalled, and the airplane impacted the ground nose down. The aft fuselage and wings sustained substantial damage. As the pilot exited the airplane, he noted two streams of fuel exiting the damaged left wingtip. During recovery, limited to no fuel was removed from the airplane, and the smell of fuel was not noted at the accident site. There was nothing abnormal noted with the fuel system as the airplane was disassembled and prepared for transport. During the emergency descent following a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, the pilot was maneuvering the airplane in a left-wing low attitude, when it stalled and subsequently collided with the ground left wing first. The loss of engine power and the subsequent forced landing likely could have been prevented had the pilot switched fuel tanks prior to depleting the right fuel tank of fuel.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s mismanagement of fuel, which resulted in fuel starvation and the pilot’s loss of airplane control during an emergency descent, which resulted in a stall and subsequent impact with terrain.

Full Narrative

On February 26, 2020, about 1645 mountain standard time, an Arion Lightning airplane, N1XF, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Jerome, Idaho. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he recently purchased the airplane, during the pre-purchasing inspection the right fuel gauge was inaccurate and unreliable. After maintenance fixed the problem twice, they informed the pilot that he must recalibrate the gauge upon his return home. To make the long flight home, he used a fuel totalizer on the airplane’s instrumentation and conducted frequent fuel calculations. About 25 nautical miles from his intended destination, he calculated 6.3 gallons remaining (4.3 usable) for about 38-40 minutes of flight. Shortly thereafter, the engine sputtered and quit. He turned off the right fuel tank selector and turned on the left fuel tank fuel. In addition, he reduced the airspeed to 75 knots, turned off autopilot, and redirected to a closer airport. The engine ran again for several seconds before it sputtered again. He adjusted the fuel selectors several times, but to no avail. Unable to make it to the airport, the pilot elected to land on a nearby roadway. However, as the airplane descended, he observed fences on both sides of the road and made a left turn to a nearby field. As he turned, the left wing stalled, and the airplane impacted the ground left wing first. The aft fuselage and wings sustained substantial damage. As the pilot exited the airplane, he noted two streams of fuel exiting the damaged left wingtip. The pilot reported to the Federal Aviation Administration that he intentionally ran the right fuel tank empty in flight because of the inoperative right fuel gauge. The pilot switched to the left fuel tank, which had about 4 gallons of fuel remaining; however, the engine would not regain power. During recovery, little to no fuel was removed from the airplane, and the smell of fuel was not noted at the accident site. There was nothing abnormal noted with the fuel system as the airplane was disassembled and prepared for transport.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:45 MST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedUnknown
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLightning Avion Eab Arion Lightning
Tail NumberN1XF
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsJabriu · 3300 Gen 4 · Reciprocating · 120
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 61 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 12000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point48 / 18 C
Altimeter30.34 inHg
Observation Time23:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data