# Accident 19970404004949A: Vought F4U4, New Smyrna Beac, FL, April 4, 1997

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 4, 1997, 11:20 local time
- Place: New Smyrna Beac, FL
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Normal Cruise
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 29.0200° N, 80.9208° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.0200&lon=-80.9208&mi=10
- Aircraft: N45NL, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N45NL) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Chance Vought/Hill L Clarke F4U-5NL (registry code 2152602, https://openairdocs.org/model/chance-vought-hill-l-clarke-f4u-5nl) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Pratt & Whitney R-2800 series (registry code 52026, https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-2800-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: VOUGHT F4U4
- Reported engine: PWA R280099W
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 1,010 total, 3 in this make and model, 54 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB MIA97LA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA113) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970404004949A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

LOST POWER ON PHOTO FLIGHT ALONG A BEACH. DITCHED IN OCEAN. FUEL TANK EMPTY HAD FAILED TO STICK TANK. (-23) ON 04/15/97 THE AIRCRAFT AND ENGINE MECHANICAL AND FLIGHT SYSTEMS WERE EXAMINED AND REVEALED NO MALFUNCTION, MECHANICAL FAILURE, OR PRE-CRASH DAMAGE. THE FUEL TANK WAS SEALED, HAD NO EVIDENCE OF RUPTURES OR SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS. THERE WAS NO FUEL REMAINING IN THE TANK, REVEALING FUEL DEPLETION AS THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT.  FURTHERMORE, THE PIC ADVISED THE MECHANIC THAT HE "RAN IT OUT OF FUEL."

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB MIA97LA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA113), Apr 4, 1997: Chance Vought F4U (N45NL), New Smyrna Bch, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to assure that an adequate supply of fuel was on board for the intended flight.

## Other reports on N45NL (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20030924031469I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030924031469I), Sep 24, 2003: Vought F4U5NL (N45NL), New Smyrnabeach, FL, Minor damage. (-23) Intentional gear up landing due to right main gear not extending. All procedures to lower gear attempted.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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