Aviat PITTS S-2B N169DM

Summary

On 1 November 2000 at about 22:00 local time, a Aviat PITTS S-2B registered N169DM was involved in an accident near Worth, Illinois, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

1 November 2000 at 22:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Worth, Illinois, United States

Coordinates

41.6796, -87.7905

Aircraft

Aviat PITTS S-2B

Registration

N169DM

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Kankakee → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI01LA030

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's inadequate preflight of the airplane and his failure to verify the fuel supply on board, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. Factors associated with the accident were the low altitude at which the power loss occurred and the lack of suitable terrain given the low altitude.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane impacted the terrain following a loss of engine power. The pilot reported that he performed a preflight of the airplane with the exception of verifying a chart used to keep track of the fuel on board. According to the pilot he thought there were 19 gallons of fuel on board, however, 15.2 gallons of the fuel were used on a previous flight. He reported, "...I misread that part of the calculation." Fuel exhaustion occurred about 20 minutes after takeoff while at an altitude of 1,050 feet above the ground. The pilot reported "Approximately 22 seconds later I impacted the ground with a 75' landing distance, measured using step method. A/C did not roll or tumble, but I was able to keep it upright through the impact. The speed of impact was approximately 110 mph as I had to avoid a bridge and set it down immediately." He reported on the form that the accident cold have been prevented "By thorough ground, physical, preflight. Do not use a chart, without actual in sight ck. of fuel levels."

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.