# NTSB CEN09CA593: Linke KR-2, N4207Z, Mt. Vernon, IL, September 18, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 17, 2009, 19:15 local (Sep 18, 2009, 00:15 UTC) - Place: Mt. Vernon, IL - Coordinates: 38.327777, -88.858612 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3278&lon=-88.8586&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 29, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 74758 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA593 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74758/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74758 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA593 ## Probable cause The inadequate preflight planning/preparation and fuel management by the pilot which led to fuel exhaustion and a total loss of engine power during approach. Contributing to the accident was the inoperative fuel indicator. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Linke John H KR-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=05648FU), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Linke John H KR-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=05648FU), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel quantity indicator](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022841): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Inoperative (probable cause); cases with it: [Linke John H KR-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022841/cases.md?model=05648FU), [All aircraft, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022841/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330); cases with it: [Linke John H KR-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=05648FU), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Approach: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Linke John H KR-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=05648FU), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Approach: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Linke John H KR-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05648FU), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was en route to the destination airport when the airplane's fuel indicating rod became stuck in the full position, which it had done on previous occasions. The pilot determined, based upon his calculations, that he would have enough fuel to complete the flight. During approach to the airport, the engine experienced a total loss of power, and the pilot executed a forced landing on a bean field. During the landing, the airplane hit trees and impacted the field resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. The pilot sustained minor injuries. There was no usable fuel aboard the airplane. The pilot stated that he miscalculated the fuel consumption during the flight and failed to make a precautionary landing when the fuel indicating rod became stuck. ## Factual narrative The pilot was en route to the destination airport when the airplane's fuel indicating rod became stuck in the full position, which it had done on previous occasions. The pilot determined, based upon his calculations, that he would have enough fuel to complete the flight. During approach to the airport, the engine experienced a total loss of power, and the pilot executed a forced landing on a bean field. During the landing, the airplane hit trees and impacted the field resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. The pilot sustained minor injuries. There was no usable fuel aboard the airplane. The pilot stated that he miscalculated the fuel consumption during the flight and failed to make a precautionary landing when the fuel indicating rod became stuck. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4207Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4207Z-2011-04-27), registration cancelled 2011-04-27, S/N 0664, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Linke KR-2 - Registry model: [Linke John H KR-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/linke-john-h-kr-2) (registry code 05648FU) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 0664 - Airframe hours: 1065 - Engines: Volkswagoen Conversion 75 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Pilot - Registered owner: Pilot - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 2, 2008 - Departed: EMP, Emporia, KS - Destination: MVN, Mt. Vernon, IL - Airport: MVN, Mount Vernon Airport, runway 05, 6,496 × 150 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 26, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 920 total, 801 in this make and model, 870 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 26, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74758. 633 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 633 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40319992&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF 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.