Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot's improper planning/decision, by failing to ensure there was sufficient fuel to safety complete the flight, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, loss of engine power, a forced landing, and subsequent collision with tree(s).
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On April 6, 1997, about 1545 eastern daylight time, a Kunc KR-1, N7KR, registered to a private individual, crashed during a forced landing following loss of engine power while on approach to the Deland Airport, Deland, Florida, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the commercial-rated pilot received minor injuries. The flight originated from Deland, Florida, the same day, about 1400.
The pilot stated that while on approach to the Deland Airport, the engine failed and he could not get it restarted. While attempting to glide to the airport, the aircraft lost altitude and collided with two oak trees. The aircraft then crashed into a pasture. He had filled the fuel tank in the morning and had flown two flights, totaling about 3 flight hours since the refueling. He had purchased the aircraft the day before the accident and believed it had a 8 gallon fuel tank and used about 2 gallons of fuel per hour. He stated there was no fuel leakage from the aircraft after the accident.
The person who built the aircraft and sold it to the accident pilot stated the aircraft had a 10 gallon fuel tank of which all of the fuel was usable. He stated the aircraft used between 3.5 and 4 gallons per hour.
The aircraft and engine was not examined by FAA or NTSB personnel after the accident. The NTSB did not receive a completed aircraft accident report from the pilot.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# MIA97LA122