Pilot Debrief

STEPHEN J MOORMAN JUST AIRCRAFT HIGHLA near Edenton, NC — 2023-08-13

Final reportERA23LA338
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Date
2023-08-13
Location
Edenton, NC, USA
Aircraft
STEPHEN J MOORMAN JUST AIRCRAFT HIGHLA
Registration
N169SM
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate fuel planning, which led to a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he departed with 4 gallons of fuel onboard and the purpose of the accident flight was to fly to an airport that sold fuel. During approach to the destination airport, the pilot thought that the control tower had not opened yet, but it had. He was having difficulty hearing the controller over the radio and was not prepared to enter controlled airspace, so he diverted to another airport. While en route to the diversion airport, the engine lost all power and the pilot ditched the airplane in a sound. Postaccident examination of the wreckage following initial recovery from the sound and again at a recovery facility did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane had flown for about 40 minutes with 4 gallons of fuel. Based on engine fuel consumption data, the engine likely exhausted its fuel supply during the diversion to an alternate airport.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have refueled before departure instead of attempting to reach MQI.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents4

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