Moynahan MOYNAHAN PITTS S-1S N5FM

Summary

On 9 May 2010 at about 22:45 local time, a Moynahan MOYNAHAN PITTS S-1S registered N5FM, operated by Moynahan Frank J, was involved in an accident near Newnan, Georgia, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

9 May 2010 at 22:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Newnan, Georgia, United States

Nearest airport

Newnan Coweta County Airport (CCO)

Coordinates

33.3114, -84.7697

Aircraft

Moynahan MOYNAHAN PITTS S-1S

Registration

N5FM

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Moynahan Frank J

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Newnan → Newnan

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA10CA258

1 person was seriously injured.

A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's inadequate preflight fuel planning.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of the amateur-built aerobatic airplane stated that he planned to perform three touch-and-go landings. Prior to flight he used a stick he had previously calibrated to check his main fuel tank. His main fuel tank held 19 gallons, with 1 gallon unusable, and he did not store any fuel in his auxiliary fuel tank. He measured 5 to 6 inches of fuel on his stick, which he equated to approximately 6.5 gallons of fuel. About 15 minutes after engine start the pilot was completing his third touch-and-go landing when, on the upwind leg and at approximately 300 feet above ground level, the engine lost all power. The pilot attempted to turn around and land on the runway in the opposite direction of takeoff; however, the airplane impacted the airport ramp area and came to rest upright. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the main fuel tank, including the clear fuel line leading from the tank to the fuel selector valve, was absent of fuel. The inspector and airport personnel did not notice any evidence of the fuel tank being compromised or any postimpact fuel spill.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.