Pilot Debrief

TAYLORCRAFT BC12-D near Harrison, ME — 2010-08-14

Final reportERA10LA422
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Date
2010-08-14
Location
Harrison, ME, USA
Airport
03ME
Aircraft
TAYLORCRAFT BC12-D
Registration
N96389
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

NTSB narrative

The pilot departed for the intended 2-hour flight with an inadequate supply of fuel resulting in fuel exhaustion. Witnesses reported hearing a sputtering engine followed by silence. While flying over a wooded area in controlled flight, the airplane collided with the tops of trees then nosed down and descended to the ground. Detailed inspection of the airplane's fuel supply system, which was not compromised, revealed a total of 4 ounces of fuel were drained from the entire airplane. Inspection of the main fuel tank fuel quantity indicator, which consisted of a cork mounted on a steel wire, revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. Examination of the flight controls, engine, and engine systems also revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot ignored low fuel indicator and did not verify fuel levels before flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents12

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