Summary
On August 16, 2015, a Burton Dennis W SONEX (N683DB) was involved in an accident near Wolcottville, IN. The accident resulted in 2 minor injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's improper fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, a forced off-airport landing, and nose over.
During a local flight, the pilot reported that his engine quit while maneuvering about 1,200 above ground level. The pilot stated that his only option was to land in a soy bean field, and he attempted to fly as slow as possible prior to touchdown. After rolling about 50 feet in the field the airplane nosed over. The pilot reported that for the majority of the 30 minute flight, he was flying with the fuel mixture full rich. He stated that he did not depart with full fuel, and must have been burning fuel at a higher rate than he originally anticipated.
According to a Federal Aviation Administration Aviation Safety Inspector, during a postaccident examination the airplane's fuel tanks were empty and no fuel was found at the tank sumps.
This accident is documented in NTSB report GAA15CA234. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N683DB.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's improper fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, a forced off-airport landing, and nose over.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
During a local flight, the pilot reported that his engine quit while maneuvering about 1,200 above ground level. The pilot stated that his only option was to land in a soy bean field, and he attempted to fly as slow as possible prior to touchdown. After rolling about 50 feet in the field the airplane nosed over. The pilot reported that for the majority of the 30 minute flight, he was flying with the fuel mixture full rich. He stated that he did not depart with full fuel, and must have been burning fuel at a higher rate than he originally anticipated.
According to a Federal Aviation Administration Aviation Safety Inspector, during a postaccident examination the airplane's fuel tanks were empty and no fuel was found at the tank sumps.
The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The vertical stabilizer and left wing sustained substantial damage.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA15CA234