N99PM

Substantial
Minor

HELIO H-295S/N: 1208

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, June 25, 2011
NTSB Number
ERA11CA364
Location
Brasstown, NC
Event ID
20110627X55232
Coordinates
35.052776, -83.938056
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
3
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
3

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
HELIO
Serial Number
1208
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1966
Model / ICAO
H-295
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
6
FAA Model
H-295

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
G-DAWG LLC
Address
322 CHEYENNE DR
City
HIGHLANDS
State / Zip Code
NC 28741-7083
Country
United States

Analysis

While descending for landing the airplane's engine lost power. The pilot was able restore engine power for a few seconds but it then sputtered and lost power again. The pilot was unable to restart the engine, so he set up a glide for the airstrip he was descending to. There was a headwind and when he realized he could not make the airstrip, the pilot performed a forced landing in a field. The airplane's landing gear struck the top of a tree, and the airplane pitched down and impacted the ground sustaining substantial damage to the fuselage and tail. Examination of the airplane and engine by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that, all of the fuel tanks were devoid of fuel and only three drops of fuel were discovered in the carburetor and fuel supply line. There was no evidence of any pre-impact mechanical malfunction of the airplane or engine.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA11CA364