Pilot Debrief

AERONCA 7AC near St. Clairsville, OH — 2020-09-23

Final reportCEN20LA422
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Date
2020-09-23
Location
St. Clairsville, OH, USA
Aircraft
AERONCA 7AC
Registration
N81624
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilots improper fuel planning that resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that she was 12 miles from her planned refueling destination when the airplane’s engine lost power. She performed a forced landing to a grass field during which the airplane’s main landing gear was damaged. Further inspection revealed that the airplane sustained substantial damage to forward fuselage beneath the cabin area. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector who traveled to the accident scene reported that the airplane’s fuel tank was empty. There were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that she departed with 13 gallons of fuel and had calculated the fuel burn for that leg of flight at 9.4 gallons of fuel for a 2 hour and 5 minute flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents4

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