Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 170A near Port Angeles, WA — 2021-01-27

Final reportWPR21LA097
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Date
2021-01-27
Location
Port Angeles, WA, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 170A
Registration
N9114A
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

The total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, which resulted from the pilot's inadequate in-flight fuel planning.

NTSB narrative

The pilot had departed on a long cross-country flight and stopped to refuel at which point he filled up both wing tanks and the pilot had modified the airplane with a tank in the fuselage. During the flight, the pilot sent text messages to a family member expressing concerns about having enough fuel to complete the flight. The pilot texted that the headwinds were stronger than he expected, he was encountering turbulence, and he was having to maneuver around clouds. Radar data showed that the airplane was over a 10 nautical mile wide body of water when the pilot made a mayday call stating that he was going into the water. The airplane ditched in the sea and was never recovered. The search and rescue efforts did not locate the airplane.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have diverted for fuel before reaching critical low levels.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ADS-B / radar
  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

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