# Accident 20070705014169A: Amtr STILETTORG, Quartzsite, AZ, July 5, 2007

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 5, 2007, 16:30 local time
- Place: Quartzsite, AZ
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Normal Cruise
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 33.6333° N, 113.7667° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6333&lon=-113.7667&mi=10
- Aircraft: N337DS, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N337DS) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Saunders Don B STILETTO R G (registry code 05601GP, https://openairdocs.org/model/saunders-don-b-stiletto-r-g) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG (registry code 99999, https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AMTR STILETTORG
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 3,200 total, 310 in this make and model, 45 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX07CA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA205) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070705014169A

## Narrative

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

(-23) THE PILOT ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ REQUESTED TO BE FUELED AT THE CHANDLER AIRPORT PRIOR TO HIS DEPARTURE ON JULY 5, 2007. HIS PASSENGER IS A PILOT AND DURING THE FUELING PROCESS THE PILOT ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ WAS CALLED AWAY FROM THE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ STATED THAT HE ASSUMED THAT HIS PASSENGER WOULD CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE FUELING. THE PILOT ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ DETERMINED LATER THAT DUE TO THE HIGH TEMPERATURE OF THE DAY THAT HIS PASSENGER DID NOT STAY FOR THE ENTIRE TIME WHILE THE AIRCRAFT WAS BEING FUELED. THE PILOT ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ HAD PREFLIGHTED HIS AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO FUELING SO ALL HE DID WAS A VERY BRIEF SCAN OF THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE TAKEOFF AND HE REMEMBERS THAT HE CHECKED THE LEFT FUEL CAP AND IT WAS SECURE. THE PILOT ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ STATED THAT HE DID NOT VISUALLY CHECK THE RIGHT FUEL CAP AND ASSUMED THAT IT WAS SECURE. DURING THE FLIGHT THE FUEL WAS SIPHONED OUT OF THE AIRCRAFT IN ABOUT 40-45 MINUTES. HIS AVIONICS EQUIPMENT INDICATED THE CLOSEST AIRPORT WAS 40 MILES AWAY. HE WAS AT 10,500 MSL AND REALIZED HE COULD NOT MAKE THAT AIRPORT. HE ELECTED TO LAND ON I-10. DURING THE LAST FEW MOMENTS OF THE APPROACH A TRUCK PULLING A FLATBED TRAILER WAS IN THE WAY AND HE DECIDED TO LAND IN THE MEDIAN. UPON LANDING ALL THE LANDING GEAR WERE SHEARED OFF AND THE AIRCRAFT TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET. AFTER LANDING, UPON INSPECTION, HE NOTICED THE RIGHT FUEL CAP WAS NOT SECURE. THIS AIRMAN HAS BEEN COUNSELED ON THE NEED TO VERIFY ALL RE-FUELING ACTIVITIES AND NOT TO RELY ON ANYONE ELSE FOR HIS PREFLIGHT RESPONSIBILITIES. THIS INCIDENT IS CLOSED WITH NO FURTHER ACTION.

## 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 LAX07CA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA205), Jul 5, 2007: Saunders Stiletto (N337DS), Quartzsite, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection during which he failed to insure security of the fuel tank's cap.

## Other reports on N337DS (2)

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

- [Incident 20040110000059I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040110000059I), Jan 10, 2004: Amtr STILETTORG (N337DS), Chino, CA, Minor damage. (-23) Nose landing failed to extend upon landing. Pilot landed aircraft with minor damage to nose. Three souls on board, no injuries. Inspection of nose gear…
- [Incident 19950929037999I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950929037999I), Sep 29, 1995: Amtr STILETTORG (N337DS), St Petersburg, FL, Minor damage. Pin failed in landing gear assembly caused gear to fail.

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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