ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 238866
This information is added by users of ASN. Neither ASN nor the Flight Safety Foundation are responsible for the completeness or correctness of this information.
If you feel this information is incomplete or incorrect, you can submit corrected information.
| Date: | Sunday 12 July 2020 |
| Time: | 12:23 LT |
| Type: |  Cessna 177A Cardinal |
| Owner/operator: | Private |
| Registration: | N30309 |
| MSN: | 17701186 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1968 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 2221 hours |
| Engine model: | Lycoming O-360-A2F |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Falmouth, Pendleton County, KY -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Elizabethtown Airport, KY (EKX/KEKX) |
| Batavia, OH (I69) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The pilot was flying the airplane as a favor to the previous owner and delivering it to the new owner. As part of his preflight inspection he used a wooden stick with graduated markings that he found in the airplane to determine the fuel level, and estimated each tank had about 12.5 gallons, which was more than enough for the intended flight. About 40 to 45 minutes into the flight, while flying at 3,000 ft mean sea level, the pilot noticed a slight drop of engine rpm which he thought was carburetor ice. He applied carburetor heat which restored the engine rpm, and about 3 to 4 minutes later, he noted the engine rpm had "quite a bit more rpm decrease, and the engine then quit." He maintained best glide airspeed and was unable to restore engine power. He maneuvered for a forced landing in a pasture. During the landing roll the airplane nosed over.
Postaccident examination found both fuel tanks empty and there was no evidence of browning of vegetation beneath the resting position of either wing, nor a smell of fuel by a first responder. About 2 ounces and 4 ounces of blue colored fuel consistent with 100 low lead were drained from the carburetor float bowl and airframe fuel strainer, respectively. There was no evidence of fuel leaks from either wing, fuel cap, or fuel vent system. Following recovery of the airplane a temporary fuel supply was plumbed into the fuel supply line at each wing root and the engine was started and operated normally with no discrepancies noted. Given this information it is likely that the loss of engine power was most likely the result of fuel exhaustion.
While the pilot believed there was 12.5 gallons of fuel in each fuel tank at the start of the flight, a mechanic who performed the last annual inspection that was signed off 2 days before the accident reported that each tank had an estimated 6 gallons when the inspection began, and that the amount of fuel at the start of the accident flight was likely slightly less due to post maintenance engine operations. Therefore, it is likely that the amount of fuel in both fuel tanks at the start of the accident flight was about half of what the pilot believed was onboard based on his assessment using utilizing the wooden sticks he found in the airplane.
Probable Cause: The pilot's failure to ensure that an adequate supply of fuel was available for the flight, which resulted in total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB ERA20LA245
FAA register: https://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N30309
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 31-Jul-2020 05:02 | Captain Adam | Added |
| 16-Sep-2020 08:30 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Total occupants, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative, Accident report] |
| 16-Sep-2020 08:32 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Source, Narrative] |
| 09-Sep-2022 13:52 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Other fatalities, Departure airport, Source, Narrative, Category, Accident report] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2024 Flight Safety Foundation