Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's failure to refuel prior to departure, and his inaccurate en route fuel consumption calculations.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On September 12, 1994, at 1000 Pacific daylight time, a Singer Kitfox IV, N93CM, owned and operated by the pilot, experienced a total loss of engine power during cruise flight near Apple Valley, California. The pilot made a forced landing on a dirt road. During rollout, the airplane collided with brush and nosed over. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the personal flight which originated from Bullhead City, Arizona, at 0745.
In the pilot's completed "Aircraft Accident Report," NTSB Form 6120.1, he reported that while cruising en route he observed the fuel gages (sight tubes). He believed they indicated over 2 hours of fuel remained in the tanks. The pilot further reported that he continued flying and after about 2.2 hours the engine stopped. He then made the forced landing.
The pilot further stated that no mechanical malfunctions or failures occurred. In pertinent part, the pilot made the following statement in response to the question "How could this accident have been prevented?
"I believed the fuel consumption rate was 3.5 gallons per hour. Obviously, the rate was higher in cross-country cruise. I should have refueled at Bullhead City. As the builder/pilot, I was overly enthused with (the anticipated) aircraft and engine performance."
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX94LA380