Pilot Debrief

PIPISTREL ALPHA TRAINER near Salinas, CA — 2026-04-18

Final reportWPR26LA173
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Date
2026-04-18
Location
Salinas, CA, USA
Airport
SNS
Aircraft
PIPISTREL ALPHA TRAINER
Registration
N143AW
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The flight instructor’s inadequate preflight inspection which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

NTSB narrative

According to the flight instructor and student pilot, they performed a preflight inspection which included viewing the visual fuel quantity indicators inside the cabin, which they observed the level to be full. The flight instructor reported that he did not check the fuel quantity by removing the fuel caps. After flying for about 39 minutes in the airport traffic pattern performing several takeoffs and landings, during an initial climb, the engine had a total loss of power about 250 ft above ground level. The flight instructor assumed the flight controls and chose an empty street near the airport to initiate a forced landing. Subsequently, the airplane landed hard, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. Post accident examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel tanks contained no usable fuel, and the fuel system was intact with no evidence of leaks. The fuel sight gauges were a purple, transparent color, which would have likely made it difficult to see if fuel was present in the system. The pilot’s operating handbook indicated that fuel quantity should be checked both in the cabin and through the fuel cap on each wing during a preflight inspection.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents9

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