Pilot Debrief

STINSON JR. SR near Ripon, WI — 2021-07-29

Final reportCEN21LA343
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Date
2021-07-29
Location
Ripon, WI, USA
Aircraft
STINSON JR. SR
Registration
N81Y
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was in-bound to the destination airport when the engine lost total power. The pilot conducted a forced landing to a muddy field where the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the empennage. One fuel tank was empty and there was fuel staining on the soil. The pilot reported that the airplane should have had about 15 to 20 gallons of fuel remaining at the time of the accident. In a subsequent conversation, the pilot reported that the airplane had an “odd fuel system” and if the fuel level was low, the engine could experience fuel starvation due to decreased fuel pressure, to which he attributed the loss of engine power on the accident flight.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Refueling the airplane before departure to ensure adequate fuel for the flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

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