Ellsworth SKY BOLT N250SE

Summary

On 9 July 2005 at about 14:04 local time, a Ellsworth SKY BOLT registered N250SE was involved in an accident near Cumming, Georgia, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

9 July 2005 at 14:04

Classification

Accident

Location

Cumming, Georgia, United States

Coordinates

33.8590, -84.7703

Aircraft

Ellsworth SKY BOLT

Registration

N250SE

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Atlanta → Gainesville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL05LA126

1 person died.

The pilot's improper fuel management while maneuvering resulting in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Witnesses stated that the airplane made a low pass over runway 13 between 30 to 50 feet. The airplane was observed to initiate a climb at mid field and an increase in engine power was heard. The airplane started a left bank and the engine sputtered and lost power on the cross wind turn. One witness stated it sounded as if the pilot was attempting to restart the airplane engine. The airplane leveled off, started descending very rapidly, disappeared from view behind a tree line, and collided with an embankment. Examination of the crash site revealed the main fuel tank was ruptured and fuel had leaked out of the fuel tank. The wing fuel tank was not ruptured and had a small amount of fuel present. The fuel selector valve was found in the off position. All personnel who responded to the accident site stated they did not move the fuel selector valve to the off position. The fuel selector valve was removed and verified it was in the off position. The fuel selector valve was manually operated with no anomalies noted. Examination of the airframe, flight controls, engine assembly and accessories revealed no anomalies. Toxicology findings were consistent with the pre-accident use of fluoxetine, a prescription antidepressant, and cyclobenzaprine, a muscle relaxant. Neither medication was noted on the pilot's last application for a medical certificate.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.