ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 133911
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| Date: | Sunday 26 November 1995 |
| Time: | 14:30 LT |
| Type: |  Bellanca 8KCAB Decathlon |
| Owner/operator: | Cynthia R. Lyons |
| Registration: | N53835 |
| MSN: | 183-75 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 2818 hours |
| Engine model: | Lycoming AEIO-360 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Sheffield, MA -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Landing |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Chicopee, MA (KCEF) |
| Barrington, MA (GBR | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The pilot/owner and her husband, also a pilot, departed on a cross-country flight. The pilot did not check the airplane's fuel tanks, but estimated that the tanks were half full. After takeoff, at 6,500 feet, the pilot observed the fuel gauge to read empty and decided to make a precautionary landing before the engine lost power. Before the landing could be made, the engine lost power. The pilot attempted a forced landing to an open field, but the airplane collided with trees. Examination of the airplane revealed no preimpact failures of the airframe or engine, and no fuel was detected in any of the airplane's fuel tanks, or on the ground. Four days before the accident, the pilots were at another airport, and had made a request for the fixed base operator to change the oil and refuel the airplane. The airplane was not refueled, and the invoice for the services did not include fuel. The airplane was then flown on four separate flights, without either of the pilots checking the airplane's fuel quantity. The airplane was flown a total of 4.1 hours, the estimated fuel duration was 3.6 hours.
Probable Cause: the pilot's inadequate preflight and improper inflight planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the loss of engine power, due to an inadequate supply of fuel.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB NYC96LA029
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 12-Apr-2013 00:58 | Anon. | Updated [Narrative, Plane category, ] |
| 21-Dec-2016 19:26 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Damage, Category, Investigating agency] |
| 09-Apr-2024 10:47 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Other fatalities, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative, Accident report] |
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