Pilot Debrief

ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL 114 near Birmingham, AL — 2009-12-09

Final reportERA10CA093
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Date
2009-12-09
Location
Birmingham, AL, USA
Airport
BHM
Aircraft
ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL 114
Registration
N5872N
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

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

NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that he was conducting an instrument-flight-rules flight with an estimated flight time of 1 hour and 33 minutes. He encountered unanticipated headwinds along the route of flight, and as he neared his destination airport he learned that weather conditions had deteriorated below minimums. The pilot diverted to a nearby airport, but was unable to complete the approach due to a windshear encounter. He then diverted to a third airport and reported that he was concerned about the airplane's available fuel. The pilot again aborted his first approach due to a windshear encounter and during a subsequent approach the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot performed a forced landing to a field prior to the runway. The airplane's nose and left main landing gears collapsed upon contact with a ditch, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

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