Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's improper fuel management during a cross country flight which resulted in a total loss of engine power during the approach for landing and subsequent in-flight collision with wires and terrain.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On August 13, 1998, about 1122 eastern daylight time, a Lesemann Pulsar XP experimental airplane, N701JL, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, registered to a private owner, crashed on approach for landing at the St. Lucie County International Airport, Fort Pierce, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot and one passenger reported minor injuries. The flight departed Marsh Harbor, Bahamas, 2 hours 2 minutes before the accident.
The pilot stated he was straight and level on final approach to runway 32 at 1,000 feet when he experienced a total loss of engine power. He switched the fuel selector valve from the right main fuel tank to the left main fuel tank. The engine did not start. He maneuvered the airplane to the left to clear high voltage lines and attempted to make a forced landing to a road in a residential area. The left wing collided with a tree, the airplane continued forward and collided with a powerline to a house. The airplane pitched nose down, collided with the terrain, and nosed over inverted. The right fuel tank was empty and the left fuel tank contained fuel.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# MIA98LA224