N216JD

Substantial
None

QUARTZ MOUNTAIN AEROSPACE INC 11ES/N: 11E-1003

Accident Details

Date
Friday, June 25, 2010
NTSB Number
ERA10CA333
Location
Inglis, FL
Event ID
20100627X41856
Coordinates
29.032777, -82.666664
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
3
Total Aboard
3

Probable Cause and Findings

A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's fuel mismanagement.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N216JD
Make
QUARTZ MOUNTAIN AEROSPACE INC
Serial Number
11E-1003
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
2008
Model / ICAO
11EAB11
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
ENERGY VENTURES FUND LLC
Address
1928 VERNON PL
Status
Deregistered
City
DAYTONA BEACH
State / Zip Code
FL 32119-1643
Country
United States

Analysis

According to the pilots, the day before the accident, they had flown the rented airplane, and returned it to the fixed base operator (FBO) to have it topped off with fuel. Later that evening, they flew it for about 2 hours, conducting touch and go landings at several different airports. They returned to the FBO late at night and did not refuel the airplane. The next morning, they split the preflight responsibilities. One pilot inspected the right side of the airplane, and the other, the left side of the airplane. The fuel gauges were reportedly checked by one of the pilots, who thought the tanks were full. They subsequently departed with a passenger and reached their first destination after an estimated 30 minutes of flight. Afterwards, they departed for an estimated hour-long flight to have lunch at different location. After lunch, they took off for another airport 36 miles away to refuel, before returning the airplane back to the FBO. Ten minutes into the flight, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. The attempted engine restarts were unsuccessful, the pilot in command (PIC) elected to land in a field, and the airplane nosed over before coming to a stop. The three occupants were able to exit the airplane on their own. One of the pilots subsequently stated that a "miscalculation of the amount of fuel onboard” led to the accident. The responding Federal Aviation Administration inspector stated that there was very little evidence of residual fuel, and no indiction of preexisting fuel leakage at the accident site.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA10CA333