Head PITTS S-1C N7BH
9 June 1996 · Everett, Washington, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 9 June 1996 at about 00:45 local time, a Head PITTS S-1C registered N7BH, operated by George S. Harrington, was involved in an accident near Everett, Washington, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 00:45
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Everett, Washington, United States
- Nearest airport
- Snohomish Co/Paine Field (PAE)
- Coordinates
- 47.9803, -122.1993
- Aircraft
- Head PITTS S-1C
- Registration
- N7BH
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- George S. Harrington
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Everett → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- SEA96LA117
People
1 person had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Probable cause
the pilot's inadequate fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation. The aircraft's lack of a fuel quantity gauge and trees in the forced landing area were related factors.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
During an approach to land, the engine lost power on base leg. Subsequently, the pilot landed short of the airport runway, and the aircraft struck trees. The pilot reported that he took off with 22 to 24 gallons of fuel and flew for 30 minutes before the accident at an estimated 5.5 to 6.5 gallon per hour burn rate; a fuel slip indicated the aircraft received 6.3 gallons of fuel before the flight. FAA investigators found 2 to 2 1/2 inches of fuel in the bottom of the main tank forward compartment and no fuel in the main tank rear compartment. Also, they found no mechanical problems with the engine. Fire department personnel switched the aircraft's fuel selector valve from 'MR' (main rear) to 'OFF' at the accident scene. The experimental aircraft was not equipped with fuel gauges. No evidence of a current biennial flight review, aircraft condition inspection, or medical certificate was found.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Aug 1996 | Cessna U206F | Crane Island, Washington, United States | West Isle Air | No injuries | - |
| 1 Aug 1996 | Beechcraft 35 | Spokane, Washington, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 9 Aug 1996 | Cessna 172N | Enumclaw, Washington, United States | Aeroflight | Minor injuries | - |
| 13 Aug 1996 | Piper PA-18 | Ephrata, Washington, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 21 Aug 1996 | Westcott GLASAIR I-FT | Puyallup, Washington, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 22 Aug 1996 | Grumman-Schweizer G-164B | Waitsburg, Washington, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |