# NTSB ATL92LA079: Guy Whisenant Skybolt, N12TJ, Gadsden, AL, April 14, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 14, 1992, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Gadsden, AL
- Coordinates: 34.009494, -86.01094 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0095&lon=-86.0109&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8586
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8586/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA079

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION, RESULTING IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE FUEL SUPPLY FOR THE PLANNED FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ON THE DOWNWIND LEG FOR RUNWAY 18 WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT. HE ATTEMPTED TO GLIDE TO RUNWAY 24, BUT HAD INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE. HE FORCE LANDED THE AIRPLANE IN A PASTURE ABOUT 300 YARDS FROM THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TWO FENCES, TWO DITCHES, AND CROSSED A ROAD BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD EXHAUSTED HIS AVAILABLE FUEL SUPPLY, AND THE FUEL QUANTITY GAUGES WERE GIVING FALSE READINGS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N12TJ (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GUY WHISENANT SKYBOLT
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 2
- Airframe hours: 9
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Owens, Donald W.
- Registered owner: Owens, Donald W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, February 3, 1992, 9 hours before
- Airport: GAD, Gadsden Municipal, runway 24, 6,803 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 772 total, 5 in this make and model, 655 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GAD, 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19920414009989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920414009989A), Apr 14, 1992: Amtrsn SKYBOLT, Gadsden, AL, Substantial damage. Engine quit in pattern. Landed off airport going thru two fences. Fuel tank empty. Fuel quanity sending unit defect

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.

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