# NTSB ANC23LA034: Dennis D Downs CCK-1865, N3151, Sterling, AK, May 12, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: May 11, 2023, 17:30 local (May 12, 2023, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Sterling, AK
- Coordinates: 60.539931, -150.87026
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.5399&lon=-150.8703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 162755
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC23LA034
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/162755/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA034

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Experience/qualifications: qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot
- [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause)
- [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Not serviced/maintained (probable cause)
- [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot

## Analysis

During an interview, the non-certificated pilot reported that he departed from a private airstrip without conducting a preflight inspection and was unaware of how much fuel was in the airplane. After departure the engine lost all power. The pilot turned the airplane back to the airstrip but did not have the altitude, and subsequently the airplane impacted trees along a road. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and empennage during the accident sequence. The non-certificated pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. During recovery of the airplane the non-certificated pilot reported that there was no fuel in either fuel tank and he suspected the airplane ran out of fuel.

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Initial climb: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event)
- [Prior to flight: Aircraft inspection event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3151](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3151), registered now, S/N CCK-1865-0106, built 2015 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DENNIS D DOWNS CCK-1865
- Registry model: [Dennis D Downs CCK-1865](https://openairdocs.org/model/dennis-d-downs-cck-1865) (registry code 05634AO) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Eci CC340](https://openairdocs.org/engine/eci-cc340) (registry code 24706, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: CCK-1865-0106
- Year built: 2015
- Engines: ESCI 0340 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, August 14, 2022
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; seat: front; restraint: 3-point

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observed at: PAEN, 11 nm away
- METAR: PAEN 120153Z 22006KT 10SM SCT060 OVC100 12/01 A2987 RMK AO2 SLP118 T01170006

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20230511012729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230511012729A), May 11, 2023: Dennis D Downs CCK-1865, Sterling, AK, Substantial damage. Excerpts from FAA form 8020-9 aircraft accident/incident preliminary notice: experimental carbon cub, operator of aircraft [identified], experienced loss of…

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

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