Pilot Debrief

GRUMMAN AMERICAN AVN. CORP. AA 1B near Stephenville, TX — 2016-03-26

Final reportCEN16LA134
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Date
2016-03-26
Location
Stephenville, TX, USA
Airport
SEP
Aircraft
GRUMMAN AMERICAN AVN. CORP. AA 1B
Registration
N8883L
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

The loss of engine power during cruise flight due to fuel exhaustion, which resulted from the pilot's inadequate preflight fuel planning and in-flight fuel management.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot reported that, before departing for a personal cross-country flight, he conducted a full preflight inspection, including a fuel check. As the airplane was approaching the destination airport, the engine lost power. The pilot's attempts to regain power were unsuccessful. The pilot conducted a forced landing, during which the airplane impacted ground obstacles. After the airplane was recovered, fuel was found in a fuel gauge; however, no fuel was found in the fuel tanks. An examination of the airplane revealed no preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. A review of data from a video camera mounted in the cockpit revealed that the pilot said that the airplane was new to him and that he "just" ran out of fuel.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have maintained fuel management to prevent engine power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Video
  • ADS-B / radar
  • Photos
  • 14 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents14

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