Pilot Debrief

AERONCA 7AC near Plant City, FL — 2022-07-21

Final reportERA22LA329
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Date
2022-07-21
Location
Plant City, FL, USA
Aircraft
AERONCA 7AC
Registration
N84423
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot’s inadequate preflight fuel planning.

NTSB narrative

About 5 to 10 minutes after takeoff, the engine lost total power. The pilot performed a forced landing to a field, during which the airplane collided with a fence and drainage pipe, resulting in substantial damage. Examination of the engine and ignition system did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. Examination of the fuel system revealed that the carburetor was absent of fuel and only a trace amount of fuel remained in the gascolator. A subsequent borescope examination of the fuel tank revealed that it was intact and that a small, immeasurable amount of fuel was in one corner of the tank, but the tank was otherwise empty. Based on the lack of mechanical anomalies and the absence of fuel in the intact fuel tank, it is likely that the loss of engine power was the result of fuel exhaustion.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Ensuring adequate fuel before takeoff could have prevented the accident.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents4

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