N539AD

Substantial
Minor

LONG EZS/N: 539

Accident Details

Date
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
NTSB Number
ERA11CA018
Location
Leesburg, FL
Event ID
20101013X93243
Coordinates
28.822778, -81.808609
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
LONG
Serial Number
539
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
2003
Model / ICAO
EZ
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
LONG EZ

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
DUNLAP ALLEN J R
Address
21953 KING ALFRED ST
City
LEESBURG
State / Zip Code
FL 34748-7978
Country
United States

Analysis

According to the pilot, he made a go-around after his first approach due to traffic in the area. He forgot to switch fuel tanks while dealing with the traffic situation and as the airplane turned crosswind, the engine “started to sputter and then it stopped.” The pilot switched fuel tanks and attempted to restart but was unsuccessful. He did not have enough altitude or time to get the engine restarted and decided to ditch in a lake to avoid a housing area. A post-accident inspection by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane incurred substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage and that no mechanical anomalies existed before the accident. The pilot stated, “It was simply fuel starvation.”

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA11CA018