# Accident 20020703025669A: Gulstm 112TC, Stuart, FL, July 3, 2002

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 3, 2002, 14:40 local time
- Place: Stuart, FL
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Fcd/Prec Ldg From Cruise
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 37.6343° N, 72.8607° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6343&lon=-72.8607&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4561W, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4561W-2017-07-18) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Rockwell International 112TC (registry code 7630306, https://openairdocs.org/model/rockwell-international-112tc) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming I0360 series (registry code 41515, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GULSTM 112TC
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 570 total, 10 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB MIA02LA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA02LA126) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020703025669A

## Narrative

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

(.4) THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD 55 GALLONS OF FUEL ON THE AIRPLANE, WHEN HE DEPARTED SPRUCE CREEK AIRPORT. HE SAID HE DETERMINED THE FUEL QUANTITY BASED ON THE FUEL LEVEL WITH RESPECT TO THE METAL TAB IN THE TANK, AND THAT HE FLEW THE AIRPLANE TO DAYTONA BEACH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, WHERE HE LOADED PASSENGERS AND BAGGAGE, AND THEN FLEW TO MARSH HARBOUR, BAHAMAS. THE PILOT FURTHER STATED THAT THE FLIGHT WAS LONGER THAN PLANNED BECAUSE A WAYPOINT HAD NOT BEEN ENTERED IN THE GPS UNIT, AND HE FLEW PAST MARSH HARBOUR, AND AS A RESULT, WHEN HE LANDED, HE REFUELED IN MARSH HARBOUR, PUTTING 10 GALLONS OF FUEL IN THE FUEL TANK. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE OPERATED THE AIRPLANE AT ABOUT 65 % POWER WITH THE RPMS BETWEEN 2350 AND 2400, THE MANIFOLD PRESSURE AT 32 INCHES OF HG, AND THAT THE WINDS WERE MINIMAL FOR BOTH THE FLIGHT TO, AND THE FLIGHT FROM MARSH HARBOUR. HE SAID THAT ABOUT 10 TO 12 MILES FROM THE SHORE, WHILE ON THE RETURN FLIGHT FROM MARSH HARBOUR THE ENGINE CEASED OPERATING AND HE DITCHED THE AIRPLANE IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN. THE OWNER SAID THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD 50 GALLONS OF FUEL ON BOARD WHEN IT DEPARTED SPRUCE CREEK AIRPORT, AND THAT THE PILOT'S FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS WERE ERRONEOUS, WITH FUEL CONSUMPTION FOR THE AIRPLANE AT BEST ECONOMY CRUISE AND BEST POWER BEING ABOUT 13.5 GALS/HOUR, AND 14.5 GALS/HR RESPECTIVELY. THE OWNER FURTHER STATED THAT THE PILOT DID NOT ANTICIPATE THE ADDITIONAL 23% FUEL THAT HE NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE FLIGHT. INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM FAA MIAMI AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SHOWED THAT AT 1434:21, A COMMUNICATIONS TRANSMISSION WAS MADE TO ATC DURING WHICH THE PERSON STATED, "WE ARE 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 MIA02LA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA02LA126), Jul 3, 2002: Rockwell International 112TC (N4561W), Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean), destroyed. Probable cause: The pilot's improper planning/decision and insufficient refueling which resulted in the loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and the aircraft being ditched in the ocean.

## Other reports on N4561W (1)

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

- [Accident 19770521012579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770521012579A), May 21, 1977: Rkwell 112TC (N4561W), Wilmington, NC, Substantial damage. Reason for oil loss not determined.

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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