Fuel exhaustion Accident Rockwell S-2R Thrush Commander N4971X,
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ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 287796
 
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Date:Tuesday 17 April 2012
Time:15:15 LT
Type:Silhouette image of generic SS2P model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different    
Rockwell S-2R Thrush Commander
Owner/operator:Meines Interprises LLC
Registration: N4971X
MSN: 5016R
Total airframe hrs:9825 hours
Engine model:Wright R-1820 SER
Fatalities:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Aircraft damage: Substantial
Category:Accident
Location:Palouse, Washington -   United States of America
Phase: Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.)
Nature:Agricultural
Departure airport:Palouse, WA
Destination airport:Palouse, WA
Investigating agency: NTSB
Confidence Rating: Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Narrative:
The pilot landed after completing an aerial application to a field, and planned to refuel the airplane while the application tank was reloaded. He said that among other distractions, he was having problems with his global positioning system, and began discussing it with another pilot. The pilot reported that after takeoff, he realized that he did not have the ground crew refuel the airplane. He said that the destination field was close, so he decided to continue rather than return and refuel the airplane. He indicated that the fuel gauges indicated 1/4 capacity at takeoff and were bouncing around 1/8 capacity after he completed two passes. The engine subsequently lost power due to fuel exhaustion, and the pilot landed in a flat field, which was wet and soft. During the landing roll, the airplane nosed over, substantially damaging the vertical stabilizer and rudder. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause: The pilot's inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's distraction and subsequent failure to have the airplane refueled.

Accident investigation:
cover
  
Investigating agency: NTSB
Report number: WPR12CA172
Status: Investigation completed
Duration: 2 months
Download report: Final report

Sources:

NTSB WPR12CA172

Location

Revision history:

Date/timeContributorUpdates
04-Oct-2022 14:30 ASN Update Bot Added

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