Smith Capella FW2R N418DS

Summary

On 3 June 2016 at about 15:30 local time, a Smith Capella FW2R registered N418DS was involved in an accident near Alamo, Texas, 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.

Date

3 June 2016 at 15:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Alamo, Texas, United States

Coordinates

26.1911, -98.1156

Aircraft

Smith Capella FW2R

Registration

N418DS

Category

Airplane

Year built

1999

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

McAllen → McAllen

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN16LA207

1 person had minor injuries.

The total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, which resulted in a forced landing and a collision with a tree.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to use most of the fuel remaining in the fuel tanks so that he could store the airplane over the summer. While returning to the airport, the engine experienced a total loss of power. During the subsequent forced landing to a small field, the airplane hit a tree, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot stated that when the airplane was recovered, both fuel tanks were empty.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.