Probst Baby Ace D near Kilgore, TX — 2009-01-12

Probable cause

A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's improper fuel planning. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain situational awareness, resulting in him being lost.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain situational awareness, resulting in him being lost.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was on a visual-flight-rules flight when the airplane impacted terrain directly below the power lines, and came to rest inverted during an apparent forced landing. The terrain surrounding the wreckage showed no signs of ground scarring, and the debris field was contained to the immediate vicinity of the wreckage. No signs of fuel spillage were observed in the surrounding soil except for a stain the "size of a plate" under the engine assembly. The fuel tank was empty and the gascolator contained two to three tablespoons of fuel. There were no witnesses to the accident. An examination of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies. The global positioning system receiver on board recorded the last few minutes of flight and depicted ten separate course reversals over the accident area prior to the accident. The airplane was 20 miles south of its intended fuel stop. The accident airplane was equipped with a lap belt and shoulder harness. The seatbelt was cut during recovery of the pilot and the shoulder harness was found secured in a storage sack behind the pilot's seat.

Analysis

Primary failure mode

Fuel management

First missed decision gate

Pilot could have refueled at Minden before continuing flight to prevent fuel exhaustion.

NTSB coding

• Fuel exhaustion · Emergency descent
• Planning / Preparation

Evidence available

• ADS-B / radar
• Photos
• 14 docket documents

Docket documents14

• Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15form
• Fuel Stop Listother
• GPS Dataother
• Map of Accident Areaother
• NTSB Field Notesother
• Record of Telephone Conversationother
• Sectional Map for Accident Flightother
• Photograph 01 - rightside mid-rangephotos
• Photograph 02 - left side mid-rangephotos
• Photograph 03 - mid-range with power linesphotos
• Photograph 04 - right side propeller blade scratchesphotos
• Photograph 05 - seatbelt close-up provided by the FAAphotos
• Photograph 06 - propeller blade close-up provided by the FAAphotos
• Toxicological Reportreport

Related mishaps

• Cessna 402

  2020-05-09 · Hampton, GA

• GRANGER MICHAEL D SONEX

  2016-04-08 · Jesup, GA

• BEECH C90

  2013-11-01 · Springdale, AR · 2 fatalities

• NAVION NAVION G

  2009-11-18 · Montrose, CO

• BEECH 35-C33

  2009-09-27 · Tillamook, OR

• PIPER PA-28-140

  2008-11-13 · Tuscaloosa, AL