JABIRU J230-SP
Center, TX — November 18, 2018
Event Information
| Date | November 18, 2018 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA19CA067 |
| Event ID | 20181118X11853 |
| Location | Center, TX |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 31.90000, -94.08000 |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | JABIRU |
| Model | J230-SP |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 2 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's improper preflight fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a total loss of engine power.
Full Narrative
The pilot reported that prior to departure, he overlooked a NOTAM which identified that fuel was not available at the airport where he had landed and had planned to refuel. He assessed his fuel quantity and departed the airport, subsequently, the engine lost power. He pitched the nose down, the engine regained power, but the pilot realized that the fuel supply was all but exhausted.
He attempted to maintain power and altitude, but eventually selected a field to land. He selected a touchdown point and circled to land, but the airplane did not complete the turn before he had to level the wings. The airplane touched down gently, but the airplane overran the intended landing area, collided with a drainage culvert, and nosed over.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the composite fuselage and the windscreen.
The pilot determined that he had misinterpreted the manufacturer's pilot operating handbook's declaration of the airplane's total fuel capacity and the airplane's total useable fuel quantity.
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.