Pilot Debrief

Stearman N2S 3 near Jacksonville, AR — 2020-07-22

Final reportCEN20CA303
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Date
2020-07-22
Location
Jacksonville, AR, USA
Aircraft
Stearman N2S 3
Registration
N2158P
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to adequately monitor his fuel quantity during flight, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a total loss of engine power.

NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, the accident flight was the second flight of the day towing banners in his bi-plane. On the return leg, the engine lost all power and the pilot landed along a pipeline and impacted a post, which resulted in substantial damage to the upper and lower right wing. The pilot informed a Federal Aviation Administration inspector that he may have run out of gas. The inspector drained about 1 quart of fuel from the gascolator and "less than a tablespoon" from the sump drains. There was no evidence of fuel in the fuel tanks. The tanks were not breached and the fuel lines appeared to be intact with no evidence of fuel leaks.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents2

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