# NTSB BFO93LA125: Hancock- Harris Pitts Special, N3186, Independent Hil, VA, July 16, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 16, 1993, 15:34 local (19:34 UTC)
- Place: Independent Hil, VA
- Coordinates: 38.559047, -77.300743 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5590&lon=-77.3007&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 17, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8791
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO93LA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8791/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93LA125

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION 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(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - building(nonresidential)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING HIS PREFLIGHT/PLANNING PREPARATION HE MISREAD THE FUEL GAGE.  HE REPORTED THAT HE DEPARTED WITH ALMOST EMPTY TANKS AND RAN OUT OF FUEL MINUTES LATER.  HE ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION NOR WEATHER PROBLEMS.  THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A BACKYARD COLLIDING WITH A SHED.

## Factual narrative

On Friday, July 16, 1993, about 1534 eastern daylight time, N3186, a Pitts Special, owned and operated by Steve Curelop of Washington, DC, crashed in a backyard in Independent Hill, Virginia.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed.  The certificated private pilot was seriously injured.  The aircraft was destroyed.  The flight was operated under 14 CFR 91 and originated in Fort Washington, Maryland.

The pilot reported that during the preflight inspection he misread the fuel gage.  He stated that he departed, "with almost empty tank and ran out of fuel minutes later.  There was no mechanical malfunction, no weather problem.  Accident was pilot error during preflight."  The airplane lost engine power and a forced landing was made in a backyard and the airplane collided with a shed.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3186](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3186), registered now, S/N HH-1, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HANCOCK- HARRIS PITTS SPECIAL (PITTS SPEC)
- Registry model: [Hancock-Harris PITTS SPECIAL](https://openairdocs.org/model/hancock-harris-pitts-special) (registry code 72202MU) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: HH1
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Steven Curelop
- Registered owner: Steven Curelop/Jeff Johnson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 15, 1992, 90 hours before
- Departed: VKX, FT. WASHINGTON, MD
- Destination: IDI, INDIANA, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 399 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 8 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HEF, 6 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 19930716024219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930716024219A), Jul 16, 1993: Amtrpt PITTSSPECIAL, Manassas, VA, Substantial damage. Misread fuel tanks. Ran out of fuel on departure. Forced landing in a back yard. Struck a small shed.

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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