Summary
On July 13, 2008, a Quad City Ultralight Aircraft Challenger II (N2785A) was involved in an accident near Windslow Twp, NJ. 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: The pilot's inaccurate fuel consumption calculations which led to fuel exhaustion and subsequent loss of engine power.
The pilot stated that he filled the amateur-built Challenger II airplane's 10-gallon fuel tank before departure, and he uses approximately 3.3 gallons per hour (gph) in his fuel consumption calculations. After takeoff, he flew for about 1 hour, and then elected to return to the departure airport. At that time, the fuel quantity gauge indicated "1/2" remaining. The flight continued, and at an unknown time, the fuel quantity gauge indicated "1/4" remaining. He diverted towards a nearby airport, but the engine experienced total loss of engine power. While descending for a forced landing, the airplane collided with a tree. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed the fuel tank was empty. It was not breached and there was no evidence of fuel leakage.
This accident is documented in NTSB report MIA08CA140. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N2785A.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's inaccurate fuel consumption calculations which led to fuel exhaustion and subsequent loss of engine power.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot stated that he filled the amateur-built Challenger II airplane's 10-gallon fuel tank before departure, and he uses approximately 3.3 gallons per hour (gph) in his fuel consumption calculations. After takeoff, he flew for about 1 hour, and then elected to return to the departure airport. At that time, the fuel quantity gauge indicated "1/2" remaining. The flight continued, and at an unknown time, the fuel quantity gauge indicated "1/4" remaining. He diverted towards a nearby airport, but the engine experienced total loss of engine power. While descending for a forced landing, the airplane collided with a tree. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed the fuel tank was empty. It was not breached and there was no evidence of fuel leakage. The Rotax "Operators Manual" indicates fuel consumption to be 7.0 and 5.4 gph at takeoff and 75 percent continuous power, respectively.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# MIA08CA140