Summary
On July 05, 2007, a Saunders Stiletto (N337DS) was involved in an accident near Quartzsite, AZ. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury, with 1 person uninjured out of 2 aboard. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection during which he failed to insure security of the fuel tank's cap.
On July 5, 2007, about 1630 mountain standard time, a Saunders Stiletto, N337DS, experienced a total loss of engine power during cruise flight and the pilot made a forced landing on Interstate Highway 10, about 25 miles east of Quartzsite, Arizona. During flare, the experimental homebuilt airplane impacted a vehicle and was substantially damaged. The airplane was owned and operated by a private individual. The commercial pilot was not injured, and the passenger sustained a minor injury. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the personal flight, and no flight plan had been filed.
This accident is documented in NTSB report LAX07CA205. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N337DS.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection during which he failed to insure security of the fuel tank's cap.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On July 5, 2007, about 1630 mountain standard time, a Saunders Stiletto, N337DS, experienced a total loss of engine power during cruise flight and the pilot made a forced landing on Interstate Highway 10, about 25 miles east of Quartzsite, Arizona. During flare, the experimental homebuilt airplane impacted a vehicle and was substantially damaged. The airplane was owned and operated by a private individual. The commercial pilot was not injured, and the passenger sustained a minor injury. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the personal flight, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and it originated from Chandler, Arizona, about 1545.
The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that earlier during the day his airplane had been serviced with fuel at Chandler. The pilot stated that he did not confirm that the right wing's fuel cap had been secured prior to taking off on the accident flight.
While flying en route, no evidence of any mechanical malfunction was noted. Suddenly, all engine power was lost and the pilot made a forced landing on the highway. The airplane impacted a vehicle during landing.
The pilot reported that he subsequently inspected his airplane and observed that the right wing's fuel cap was missing. The pilot stated that fuel in the tank had evidently ported overboard during flight. The pilot indicated that the accident could have been prevented had he performed a better preflight inspection.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX07CA205