- Date
- May 15, 2001, 13:37 local (17:37 UTC)
- Place
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Injuries
- 2 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Approach
- Aircraft
- N1013VCessna P337H
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report July 30, 2001
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 20010515009079A
- Case key
- 52287
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to pre-flight adequate fuel for the flight.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
While making a day VFR approach to the destination airport, the Cessna experienced a dual engine failure. The airplane struck the middle marker beacon that is 1/2 mile west of the airport. Then it impacted the ground and skidded through a chain link fence. Post accident investigation revealed the left wing tank was dry. Approximately 4.5 gallons of fuel was drained from the right tank. Post accident engine run-up revealed no mechanical malfunction, the loss of power was a result of fuel exhaustion.
Factual narrative
On May 15, 2001, at 1337 eastern daylight time, a Cessna P337H, N1013V, collided with the ground 1/2 mile west of Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The local flight was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The air transport pilot and passenger both received minor injuries. The flight departed Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at 1207 eastern daylight time.
Reportedly, the pilot was conducting multiple approaches and landings. During the accident approach and landing, both engines lost power and the pilot initiated emergency procedures. During the emergency approach and landing, the airplane hit the middle marker beacon that is 1/2 mile west of the airport. Then the airplane impacted the ground, collided with a chain link fence, skidded across the south lane of NW 31st Avenue, through the medium, across the north lane of NW 31st Avenue and came to a stop on the chain link fence.
Examination of the airplane showed the left wing tank was dry. Approximately 4.5 gallons of aviation fuel were recovered from the right wing tank. No noticeable fuel leaks were on the ground. Post accident investigation and engine run-up revealed no mechanical malfunction.
The pilot was advised by the Fixed Base Operator Line Personnel that the airplane had only 38 gallons of total fuel on board. The pilot elected to fly without fueling up. The pilot told line personnel that the airplane had enough fuel for his 45 minute flight. Approximately one hour and 45 minutes later, the line personnel noticed that the airplane was down on the west side of the airport. According to Cessna, dual engine stoppage is possible if fuel is allowed to drop below 8.3 gallons. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the engines.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N1013V
- Reported as
- Cessna P337H
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- P3370355
- Airframe hours
- 2,241.6
- Engines
- Continental TSIO-360-CB6, 225 horsepower, reciprocatingContinental TSIO-360-CB5, 225 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Jeffrey M. Shaffner
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · February 5, 2001 · 21.5 hours before
- Departed
- FXE · Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Destination
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Airport
- FXE · Ft. Lauderdale Executive Apt., runway 08, 6,001 × 100 ft, asphalt
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 53
- Injuries
- Minor
- Certificates
- Airline transport, Flight instructor, Private, Commercial, Flight engineer
- Airplane ratings
- Multi-engine land, Single-engine sea, Multi-engine sea, Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Last flight review
- December 11, 2000
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 14,000 total · 740 in this make and model · 10,000 as pilot in command · 110 in the last 90 days · 40 in the last 30 days · 2 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 80° at 10 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 77 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.07 inHg
- Observed at
- FXE, 1 nm away
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.