Pilot Debrief

Culver LCA near Viroqua, WI — 2019-07-25

Final reportCEN19LA243
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Date
2019-07-25
Location
Viroqua, WI, USA
Aircraft
Culver LCA
Registration
N29272
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he departed with 19 gallons of fuel onboard, and about 3 hours and 41 minutes into the cross-country flight, the engine “quit.” The pilot performed a forced landing in a soybean field, during which the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder, empennage, and canopy bulkhead. Examination revealed no evidence of fuel in the fuel tank, which was intact. No mechanical anomalies were found with the engine. Based on the available information, it is likely that the total loss of engine power was the result of fuel exhaustion.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked fuel levels before departure.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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