Pilot Debrief

SILVERLIGHT AVIATION LLC AR-1 near Fort Meade, FL — 2019-10-03

Final reportERA20TA005
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Date
2019-10-03
Location
Fort Meade, FL, USA
Aircraft
SILVERLIGHT AVIATION LLC AR-1
Registration
N463JW
Category
Gyroplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

The student pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection that failed to detect water contamination of the fuel and resulted in a total loss of engine power during cruise flight.

NTSB narrative

The student pilot obtained automotive fuel from a gas station close to his departure airport to fuel the gyroplane before departing on a solo cross-country flight. About 45 minutes into the flight, there was a “loud bang” from the engine, and it subsequently lost total power and could not be restarted. The pilot performed a forced landing in a swamp, during which the rotor blades impacted terrain. Post-accident examination revealed fuel contamination consisting of water and sediment. New fuel was added, and a subsequent test run of the engine revealed no anomalies. It is likely that the loss of engine power was the result of the fuel contamination, and that the accident would have likely been prevented if the student pilot had performed an adequate preflight inspection to detect water in the fuel.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked fuel quality before departure to avoid contamination.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents6

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