Pilot Debrief

Whittman 8-W Modified near Prospect, OR — 2019-01-29

Final reportWPR19LA076
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Date
2019-01-29
Location
Prospect, OR, USA
Airport
64S
Aircraft
Whittman 8-W Modified
Registration
N12037
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The non-certificated pilot’s failure to ensure adequate fuel onboard prior to flight, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

NTSB narrative

The non-certificated pilot was observed by airport personnel as he assembled the airplane over a three-day period. On the day of the accident, during the takeoff, the airplane collided with a runway light then departed the airport area. A search was initiated when the pilot did not return in a reasonable amount of time. The wreckage and the pilot were located the next morning about 1.8 nautical miles southwest of the departure airport in an area of thick trees and brush covered terrain. The pilot related to the airport caretaker that; the engine lost power due to “magneto problems.” The airplane was substantially damaged during landing. A postaccident examination of the magnetos revealed no anomalies with either magneto that would have precluded normal operation. Additionally, the fuel tank was found undamaged and empty at the accident site and there was no odor of fuel or evidence of pooling fuel from possible fuel leaks. The pilot’s reported loss of engine power was attributed to fuel exhaustion due to his failure to ensure that sufficient fuel was available for the flight prior to departure.

Analysis

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

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents5

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