Pilot Debrief

MOODY-SIPLE A near Stuttgart, AR — 2012-04-21

Final reportCEN12LA259
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Date
2012-04-21
Location
Stuttgart, AR, USA
Aircraft
MOODY-SIPLE A
Registration
N78RB
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate fuel monitoring, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

NTSB narrative

The pilot said that he had been flying for 2 hours, practicing maneuvers in preparation for an upcoming biennial flight review, when the engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion. Examination of the airplane revealed about 300 feet of power line was wrapped around and trailing behind the right main landing gear. The pilot did not recall impacting anything during the flight. No preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures were found that would have precluded normal operation. The trailing power line could have affected the airplane’s performance, increasing both fuel consumption and drag; however, the timing of the wire strike and actual effect could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot should have checked fuel levels before switching tanks.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents9

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