WILHELM PUSLAR
Salton City, CA — April 18, 2018
Event Information
| Date | April 18, 2018 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | WPR18TA122 |
| Event ID | 20180418X54541 |
| Location | Salton City, CA |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 33.24417, -115.92416 |
| Airport | Salton Sea Airport |
| Highest Injury | MINR |
Aircraft
| Make | WILHELM |
| Model | PUSLAR |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 1 |
| None | 0 |
| Total Injured | 1 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to perform the loss of engine power emergency procedures, which likely would have restored engine power.
Full Narrative
On April 18, 2018, about 0830 Pacific daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Puslar III airplane, N332RP, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Salton City, California. The private pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
The pilot reported that he was in cruise flight around 6,700 ft for about 30 minutes when the engine suddenly lost power. He attempted to start the engine several times; however, it would not sustain power. Unable to glide to the nearest airport, the pilot performed a forced landing on open, desert terrain. The airplane impacted a small berm which substantially damaged the fuselage.
revealed that the fuel selector was positioned on the left fuel tank; upon visual examination, there was no fuel present in the left fuel tank. The fuel quantity gauge indicated that the on-scene examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector left fuel tank was empty, and the right fuel tank was about 1/4 full.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane and stated that, if had he read the checklist, checked the fuel gauge, or checked the fuel selector valve and tuned on the electric pump, the accident may have been avoided.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.