The pilot reported that after departure in a float-equipped Stinson 108-3 from a remote lake in Lime Village, Alaska, as the airplane climbed to about 150 feet above ground level, all engine power was lost.
He switched the fuel selector to the reserve tank. The engine momentarily regained power, but after about 15 seconds, it again lost all power.
The pilot made a forced landing into tree-covered terrain, during which both wings and the empennage sustained substantial damage.
The post-accident examination revealed the reserve fuel tank was leaking fuel, and the fuel tanks contained no usable fuel.
After the accident, the pilot told investigators he was trying to fly with minimum fuel to conserve weight, and he could have had more fuel onboard.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection and fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and a subsequent forced landing in tree-covered terrain.
To download the final report. Click here. This will trigger a PDF download to your device.
This September 2024 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
I’m so glad most of you are not in charge of rules, regulations and punishment. I’m sure by your answers you’ve never made any mistakes in your lives. You all must be perfect in all things. We have no knowledge of the ramifications of this accident to the pilot, nor his family. I wish the people responding had a bit more compassion, especially when you don’t have all the information. Oh, and by the way, I pray now that you’ve been so judgmental of this pilot, that you remain perfect in all things having no ill befall you or your flying career.
I hope the pilot can get the plane repaired, continuing to fly, learning from their mistake. I’m glad I’m learning from their mistake. I’m grateful there wasn’t a fatality or serious injury.
If you want to be pissed about something be pissed at lawyers, companies jacking the prices of parts and fuel prices ridiculously high.
Seriously Super Sam
Good Day!
I second the motion! Well said
Note FAR 91.103, preflight…a pilot must become familiar with all information concerning the flight. This includes have enough fuel for the flight and reserve.
Sorry, more stupid pilot tricks.!!
The only time you have fuel too much is when you’re on fire
Didja ever wonder why insurance premiums go up? It’s a small pool.
Anyone running out of fuel should have their pilots license revoked. There is absolutely no excuse for running out of fuel. All the rest of us pay for this stupidity via our ever increasing insurance rates.
So near …… and yet so far !
Just three gallons of fuel and better maintenance relative to the reserve tank could have saved about $65,000.00.
Airplanes tend to fly better a little overweight than out of gas.
The three most useless things to a pilot in case of emergency:
The fuel you left on the ground.
The runway behind you.
The air above you.
–unknown
I can no longer read the comments posted to the articles. This one has one comment but when I scroll down to read the comment, it’s not there. Can anyone tell me why? I sent and inquire to the editor but got no reply.
I can see all comments. Including yours.
Try signing out and signing back in
Thanks for reaching out. I think we’ve got this figured out and you should be able to comment.
if he can’t read the comments, isn’t your comment unreadable to him, also?
Ben,
Comments are again not being displayed again. I commented on the ‘fuel starvation’ article. It shows on the ‘comments’ page, but not in the article, even though it shows 3 comments, scrolling down, there are only 2.
JimH.
Yup.!! more stupid pilot tricks.
For the lack of a few more gallons of fuel, the aircraft was wrecked.!!!
So, $50 in fuel vs a wrecked $50,000 aircraft….
My Old Instructor always said, “the only time you have too much fuel, is if you are on fire” !! LOL!