Summary
On July 25, 2019, a Culver LCA (N29272) was involved in an accident near Viroqua, WI. The accident resulted in 1 serious injury, 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
On July 25, 2019, about 1555 central daylight time, a Culver LCA airplane, N29272, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Viroqua, Wisconsin. The pilot sustained minor injuries, and a passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
The pilot was conducting a visual flight rules cross-country flight. He reported that he departed with 19 gallons of fuel onboard, and about 3 hours and 41 minutes into the flight, the engine “quit.” The pilot performed a forced landing in a soybean field, during which the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted.
Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the rudder, empennage, and canopy bulkhead.
This accident is documented in NTSB report CEN19LA243. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N29272.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On July 25, 2019, about 1555 central daylight time, a Culver LCA airplane, N29272, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Viroqua, Wisconsin. The pilot sustained minor injuries, and a passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
The pilot was conducting a visual flight rules cross-country flight. He reported that he departed with 19 gallons of fuel onboard, and about 3 hours and 41 minutes into the flight, the engine “quit.” The pilot performed a forced landing in a soybean field, during which the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted.
Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the rudder, empennage, and canopy bulkhead. The engine spark plugs were removed and displayed normal operating signatures. The engine was rotated by hand and drive continuity was confirmed. No mechanical anomalies were found. The fuel system and fuel tank were intact. The fuel cap was in place and the float level indicator seemed to be serviceable. There was no visible fuel in the fuel tank and some debris was found in the bottom of the tank. The fuel inlet screen on the bottom of the carburetor was removed and was clean. About 1/2 ounce of fuel was found in the bottom of the carburetor bowl, which emptied the bowl.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN19LA243