N54DT

Destroyed
Serious

Barron Thorp T18S/N: 2

Accident Details

Date
Tuesday, January 9, 2007
NTSB Number
CHI07CA057
Location
Edinburg, OH
Event ID
20070202X00130
Coordinates
41.098609, -81.191108
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
Highest Injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
1
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's improper in-flight decision not to refuel prior to fuel exhaustion. A factor to the accident was the tree line that the airplane impacted during the forced landing.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N54DT
Make
BARRON
Serial Number
2
Year Built
1975
Model / ICAO
Thorp T18

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
CARPENTER ROBERT E
Address
590 LAKE FOREST DR SE
Status
Deregistered
City
PINEHURST
State / Zip Code
NC 28374-9464
Country
United States

Analysis

The airplane impacted trees and terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during approach. The pilot stated that the airplane lost engine power due to "a depletion of fuel." The pilot attempted to land in a plowed field but reported not having sufficient altitude to clear trees at the field's edge. The pilot stated that he "stalled the airplane into the top of the trees." The pilot reported the airplane then fell approximately forty feet to the ground in a nose down attitude. Inspection of airplane revealed that the fuel system did not contain any remaining usable fuel. The fuel system was intact and no fuel smell was noted at the accident site. The pilot reported that the accident flight was three hours and eight minutes in duration. The pilot stated that the airplane had 29 gallons of fuel on board at departure. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI07CA057