# NTSB ATL05CA095: David S Robbins Christavia MK 1, N524J, Decherd, TN, June 3, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 3, 2005, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Decherd, TN - Coordinates: 35.216667, -86.083335 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2167&lon=-86.0833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FSDO 03 - NTSB case key (mKey): 61837 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL05CA095 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61837/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL05CA095 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight planning which resulted in fuel exhaustion and subsequent loss of engine power. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot performed a preflight inspection but stated that he failed to visually check the fuel quantity in the tanks. Approximately 30 minutes into the flight, the engine started sputtering and the pilot turned on the electric fuel pump. The engine lost power and efforts by the pilot to restart the engine were unsuccessful. The pilot located a pasture for an emergency landing and was approximately 50 feet above the ground when he banked hard to the right to avoid four poles sticking out of the ground. As the pilot continued to maneuver for the emergency landing, the airplane collided with the ground. The post-accident examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel gauge was on 'E' and there was no fuel recovered from the fuel tanks. The examination of the airplane also revealed that the fuel tanks were not breached. ## Factual narrative On June 3, 2005 at 1830 central daylight time, an experimental Christavia MK 1, N524J, collided with the ground while attempting an emergency landing in Decherd, Tennessee. The flight operated under provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The pilot suffered minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. The flight originated from Winchester Municipal Airport, Winchester, Tennessee on June 3, 2005 at 1800. The purpose of the flight was to practice for a biennial flight review. The pilot said he performed a preflight inspection but stated that he "failed to visually check the fuel quantity in the tanks." On departure, the fuel gauge read 1/2 full. After 25 minutes of flying, the pilot noticed a minor reduction in engine RPM. The fuel gauge read 3/8 full and the pilot applied carburetor heat. A few minutes later the engine started sputtering and the pilot turned on the electric fuel pump. The pilot stated that the engine failed and he was unsuccessful in restarting it. The pilot located a pasture for an emergency landing and was approximately 50 feet above the ground when he banked hard to the right to avoid four poles sticking out of the ground. The airplane collided with the ground. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunction with the airplane prior to the accident. Examination of the airplane revealed the right wing spar broken, all the landing gear detached, the propeller bent, engine compartment crushed and belly of the fuselage crushed. The fuel gauge was on 'E' and there was no fuel recovered from the fuel tanks. The examination of the airplane also revealed that the fuel tanks were not breached. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N524J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N524J-2019-11-04), registration cancelled 2019-11-04, S/N 524, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: David S Robbins Christavia MK 1 - Registry model: [Robbins David S CHRISTAVIA MK I](https://openairdocs.org/model/robbins-david-s-christavia-mk-i) (registry code 056039Z) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 524 - Airframe hours: 269 - Engines: Continental O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: David S. Robbins - Registered owner: David S. Robbins - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2004, 7 hours before - Departed: KBGF, Winchester, TN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; last flight review March 1, 1999; seat: front; flight hours: 500 total, 269 in this make and model, 100 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.85 inHg - Observed at: KMDQ, 23 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20050603011789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050603011789A), Jun 3, 2005: Amtr CHRISTAVIAMK, Deckert, TN, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot stated ran out of fuel. No said fuel gage quit working. Landed in open field. Aircraft destroyed. No injuries. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.