# Accident 20160603008549A: Smith Richard D FW2TR (XLS), Mcallen, TX, June 3, 2016

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 3, 2016, 10:28 local time
- Place: Mcallen, TX
- Airport: Mcallen Miller Int'L
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 26.1911° N, 98.1156° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.1911&lon=-98.1156&mi=10
- Aircraft: N418DS, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N418DS) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Smith Richard D FW2TR (XLS) (registry code 056067V, https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-richard-d-fw2tr-xls) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Bombardier ROTAX (ALL) (registry code 09050, https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SMITH RICHARD D FW2TR (XLS)
- Reported engine: BOMBARDIER ROTAX (ALL)
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 13,000 total, 305 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN16LA207](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA207) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160603008549A

## Narrative

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

PILOT DEPARTED FROM EDINBURG AIRPORT EDINBURG, TEXAS (25R) FOR MCALLEN AIRPORT MCALLEN, TEXAS (MFE) AFTER COMPLETING TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS. APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES FROM MCALLEN AIRPORT, PILOT CONTACTED MCALLEN TOWER FOR LANDING INSTRUCTIONS. WHILE IN CONTACT WITH THE TOWER, PILOT ENCOUNTERED ENGINE FAILURE. PILOT WAS UNABLE TO GLIDE TO THE AIRPORT RUNWAY AND ELECTED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING OFF THE AIRPORT. DUE TO LOSS OF ALTITUDE AND SPEED AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO A RESIDENCE BACK YARD TREE. AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO ENGINE COMPARTMENT , ENGINE FIREWALL AND LEADING EDGES OF BOTH WINGS. PILOT WAS UNINJURED. PILOT STATED HE FELT ENGINE FAILURE WAS DUE TO FUEL DEPLETION. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED PILOT FLEW LOCAL FLIGHT TO EXHAUST MOST OF THE FUEL IN FUEL TANKS FOR STORAGE OF AIRCRAFT WHILE ON VACATION. PILOT MISCALCULATED FUEL CONSUMPTION WHICH ULTIMATELY CAUSED ENGINE TO SHUTDOWN DUE TO FUEL DEPLETION RESULTING IN AN EMERGENCY CRASH LANDING. IIC RECOMMENDS REMEDIAL TRAINING FOR PILOT.

## 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 CEN16LA207](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA207), Jun 3, 2016: Smith Capella FW2R (N418DS), Alamo, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, which resulted in a forced landing and a collision with a tree.

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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