# Accident 20190817014089A: Giger Frank R NIEUPORT II, Talladega, AL, August 17, 2019

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 17, 2019, 12:42 local time
- Place: Talladega, AL
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 33.4961° N, 86.2217° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4961&lon=-86.2217&mi=10
- Aircraft: N112GV, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N112GV) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Giger Frank R NIEUPORT II (registry code 05634T1, https://openairdocs.org/model/giger-frank-r-nieuport-ii) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Volkswagen CONVERSION (registry code 63501, https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GIGER FRANK R NIEUPORT II
- Reported engine: VOLKSWAGEN CONVERSION
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Sport pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 134 total, 61 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA19TA254](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19TA254) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190817014089A

## Narrative

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

WHILE ENROUTE TO TALLADEGA FROM BESSEMER THE PILOT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL WAS DOWN TO JUST BELOW FOUR GALLONS, AND BEGAN TO DIVERT TOWARDS ST. CLAIR (KPLR), HE HAD ONLY BEEN IN THE AIR FOR FORTY MINUTES.  A MINUTE LATER HE GLANCED DOWN TO SEE THE FUEL WAS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SIGHT GAUGE AND THE ENGINE STOPPED.

THE PILOT OF N112GV DECIDED TO LAND ON TOP OF THE TREES ALONG SIDE OF A ROAD BECAUSE OF THE HEAVY TRAFFIC IN THE AREA. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND AND SUBSTAINED SUBSTANIAL DAMAGE.

FURTHER INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT THE FUEL LINE TO THE SUMP DRAIN BETWEEN THE RUDDER PEDALS HAD BEEN BROKEN OFF ALLOWING THE FUEL TO DRAIN OUT.

## 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 ERA19TA254](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19TA254), Aug 17, 2019: GIger Frank R Nieuport II (N112GV), Talladega, AL, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion after the pilot inadvertently kicked a fuel line during turbulence, which resulted in a forced landing into trees.

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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