Summary
On October 24, 1994, a Schweizer G-164B (N3629X) was involved in an incident near Immokalee, FL. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO REFUEL RESULTING IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.
On October 24, 1994, about 1415 eastern daylight time, a Schweizer G-164B, N3629X, registered to Airwork Enterprises of Florida, Inc., made a forced landing in a citrus grove near Immokalee, Florida, following loss of engine power, while on a 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the commercial-rated pilot was not injured. The flight originated at Immokalee, Florida, on October 24, 1994, about 1200.
The pilot stated that the engine failed and he made a forced landing in the grove. He stated he had flown for about 2 hours and should have had fuel for another 30 minutes.
This incident is documented in NTSB report MIA95LA008. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N3629X.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO REFUEL RESULTING IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On October 24, 1994, about 1415 eastern daylight time, a Schweizer G-164B, N3629X, registered to Airwork Enterprises of Florida, Inc., made a forced landing in a citrus grove near Immokalee, Florida, following loss of engine power, while on a 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the commercial-rated pilot was not injured. The flight originated at Immokalee, Florida, on October 24, 1994, about 1200.
The pilot stated that the engine failed and he made a forced landing in the grove. He stated he had flown for about 2 hours and should have had fuel for another 30 minutes.
The operator stated he found only 2 pints of fuel in the aircraft after the accident and that there was no evidence of fuel leakage from the aircraft after the accident. He stated the pilot had flown for about 2 hours 15 minutes and the aircraft uses about 35 gallons of fuel per hour. The aircraft fuel capacity is 80 gallons, and the aircraft was topped off before departure.
Postcrash examination of the engine was accomplished by an FAA inspector. No evidence to indicate precrash mechanical failure or malfunction of the engine or accessories was found.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# MIA95LA008