Pilot Debrief

LAURIENZO GABRIEL A VARIEZE near North Augusta, SC — 2009-08-09

Final reportERA09LA453
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Date
2009-08-09
Location
North Augusta, SC, USA
Aircraft
LAURIENZO GABRIEL A VARIEZE
Registration
N808SA
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection.

NTSB narrative

The pilot of the amateur-built airplane stated that he was having problems with “dirt dabbers” getting into the fuel vent on his airplane, and he installed a black rubber cap on the fuel vent. The pilot conducted a preflight inspection prior to the accident flight; however, he failed to remove the cap. He departed and was in cruise flight at 2,000 feet mean sea level, paralleling an interstate highway when the engine lost power. The pilot further stated that he immediately knew what happened. "The engine had quit because the air could not enter the fuel tank due to the blocked fuel vent line, which caused the loss of engine power due to fuel starvation." Examination of the airplane revealed the fuel vent was blocked with a black cap. No other anomalies were noted with the airframe, flight controls, fuel system, engine assembly, or associated components.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot failed to remove the black cap from the fuel vent before departure.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents14

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