Pilot Debrief

Curtiss Moses Aerolite near Los Lunas, NM — 2009-06-09

Final reportCEN09LA345
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Date
2009-06-09
Location
Los Lunas, NM, USA
Aircraft
Curtiss Moses Aerolite
Registration
N43598
Category
Ultralight
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's fuel mismanagement.

NTSB narrative

The sport pilot was flying his airplane near the home of one of his relatives. The engine "stalled" as he passed over the residence and he decided to land on a gravel road, but changed the intended landing area to an open field. While approaching the field for a landing, the airplane collided with a hidden obstruction. An examination of the airplane and engine was conducted by an inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The fuel selector was found selected to an empty fuel tank, while the other fuel tank contained approximately 2.5 gallons of fuel. Under supervision by the FAA, the engine was started and ran normally under various power settings. Examination of the airplane and engine did not disclose any evidence of a mechanical malfunction.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have selected the tank with fuel before attempting the landing.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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