Pilot Debrief

PEKOLA JAMES W RIDGE RUNNER III near Andrews, NC — 2014-07-10

Final reportERA14CA349
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Date
2014-07-10
Location
Andrews, NC, USA
Airport
RHP
Aircraft
PEKOLA JAMES W RIDGE RUNNER III
Registration
N39ZT
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to open the fuel tank valves during the preflight examination of the airplane, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that he departed the airport on a local flight in an experimental amateur built category airplane. After reaching about 100 feet above ground level and about 0.5 nautical miles from the departure end of the runway, the engine "sputtered" and subsequently lost power. The pilot attempted a forced landing to a field located directly in front of the airplane. During the landing, the airplane impacted the ground, the main landing gear splayed, and the airplane skidded about 40 feet before coming to rest nose down in a ditch. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings. The pilot reported no preexisting mechanical failures or anomalies, but during a postaccident examination of the airplane he discovered that he had failed to open the fuel tank valves prior to the flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents7

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