Pilot Debrief

FLIGHT DESIGN GENERAL AVN GMBH CTSW SuperSport near Boulder City, NV — 2022-08-26

Final reportWPR22LA317
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Date
2022-08-26
Location
Boulder City, NV, USA
Airport
BVU
Aircraft
FLIGHT DESIGN GENERAL AVN GMBH CTSW SuperSport
Registration
N916CA
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he and his passenger were on the second flight of the day when the accident occurred. He refueled the airplane with 8 gallons and departed on the accident flight with a total of 19 gallons of fuel on board. During the accident flight the pilot maintained equal levels of fuel in both wing tanks for about 1 hour 20 minutes into the 2-hour flight, when he placed the fuel selector to “BOTH.” Calculations based on time and fuel flow indicated that about 7.5 gallons of fuel was consumed during the flight. The pilot reported that he saw his fuel pressure gauge move from indicating green to 0 psi. The pilot turned on the fuel pump and soon after the engine started to “sputter” and then the propeller stopped. He attempted to restart the engine three times without success. Although the airplane was equipped with an emergency parachute, the pilot elected to execute a forced landing to an unpaved service road; subsequently, the landing gear collapsed and the airplane veered into a fence. The airplane’s wing and fuselage, including the windshield right pillar, sustained substantial damage. The right fuel tank delivery lines at the inboard side of the right wing separated from impact damage, and an undetermined amount of fuel continued to pour into the cabin area as the pilot and passenger were egressing the airplane. Postaccident examination of the engine and airframe revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the total loss of engine power could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked fuel levels before maneuvering near mountains.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents11

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