Dennis L Zumbalt SKY BOLT N254PM

Summary

On 23 March 2019 at about 17:30 local time, a Dennis L Zumbalt SKY BOLT registered N254PM, operated by Anthony M Moretti, was involved in an accident near Deming, New Mexico, 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

23 March 2019 at 17:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Deming, New Mexico, United States

Nearest airport

Private airstrip

Coordinates

32.2602, -107.7497

Aircraft

Dennis L Zumbalt SKY BOLT

Registration

N254PM

Category

Airplane

Year built

2003

Engines

1

Operator

Anthony M Moretti

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Deming → Deming

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR19LA101

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot’s failure to properly position the fuel selector before takeoff, which resulted 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

Before takeoff, the pilot fueled the airplane’s main header fuel tank with 25 gallons of automotive fuel. Shortly after takeoff, about 400 ft above ground level, the engine lost total power. The pilot performed a forced landing to a dirt field, during which the airplane landed hard and impacted a sand dune, resulting in substantial damage. Examination of the fuel system revealed that the fuel selector was selected to the AUX/wing fuel tank position. The pilot stated that he never fueled the AUX/wing tank, and that he only filled and operated off the main header tank. The pilot reported, and examination confirmed, that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The accident is consistent with a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot’s failure to correctly position the fuel selector prior to departure.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.