Pilot Debrief

TL ULTRALIGHT Sting RG near Rio Linda, CA — 2024-06-26

Final reportWPR24LA218
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Date
2024-06-26
Location
Rio Linda, CA, USA
Airport
L36
Aircraft
TL ULTRALIGHT Sting RG
Registration
N912RG
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was a fuel quantity indication that was inconsistent with the actual fuel state of the airplane, which likely led the pilot to overestimate the amount of fuel remaining onboard.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident was a fuel quantity indication that was inconsistent with the actual fuel state of the airplane, which likely led the pilot to overestimate the amount of fuel remaining onboard.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he departed for a local area flight with the fuel quantity indicator displaying about 50% (about 16 gallons) fuel remaining. After several takeoffs and landings at a nearby airport, the pilot elected to return to his home airport when the fuel quantity indicator displayed about 25% remaining. While on the final leg of the airport traffic pattern, the engine lost total power, and the pilot performed a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the airplane collided with a softball field perimeter fence before coming to rest upright. Shortly after the accident, the pilot reported that although the fuel quantity indicator displayed about 25% remaining, the airplane had run out of fuel. Postaccident examination revealed that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures. No usable fuel was observed in the fuel sump, fuel pump, or carburetor bowls. The fuel float assembly was powered with an external battery, and the fuel sensor arm was manually actuated; however, the fuel quantity indicator did not respond. The pilot reported that the fuel quantity indicator displayed approximately 25% fuel remaining despite postaccident examination revealing no usable fuel within the fuel system. Although the extent to which impact damage or postaccident disassembly may have affected the fuel quantity sensing system could not be determined, postaccident testing revealed that the fuel quantity indicator did not respond to movement of the fuel sensor arm. Additionally, the pilot reported that due to the design of the fuel tank installation, he was unable to verify the fuel quantity by visual inspection or use of a dipstick. Nevertheless, the fuel quantity indication was inconsistent with the actual fuel state of the airplane and likely contributed to the pilot’s overestimation of the available fuel and the subsequent fuel exhaustion.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents9

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