Pilot Debrief

MCGRATH ROBERT F SONEX near Louisville, OH — 2009-04-25

Final reportCEN09LA266
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Date
2009-04-25
Location
Louisville, OH, USA
Airport
10A7
Aircraft
MCGRATH ROBERT F SONEX
Registration
N692RM
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to assure an adequate fuel level which resulted in fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident were the gusty winds and the pilot's loss of aircraft control during the forced landing.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident were the gusty winds and the pilot's loss of aircraft control during the forced landing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot departed his home airstrip with 3 to 4 gallons of fuel on board to fly to a nearby airport for fuel. The winds at the time of departure were calm. The pilot landed at a nearby airport, but did not purchase fuel. He then took off to fly back to his home airstrip. The accident occurred as the pilot was approaching his home airstrip land. According to witnesses, the engine was not producing power when the airplane banked to the right and descended nose first, consistent with an aerodynamic stall into a wooded area just northwest of the runway. Post accident inspection of the airplane revealed that less than 5 ounces of fuel was present in the fuel tank. No fuel was present in the fuel lines or gascolator, nor was there an odor of fuel at the accident site. According to a global positioning system used by the pilot, the flight was approximately 40 minutes long. The airplane consumes about 4 gallons of fuel per hour. Winds reported 10 miles from the accident site were from 240 degrees at 18 knots gusting to 26 knots.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot did not refuel at 38D despite low fuel before returning to 10A7.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents15

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