# NTSB CEN10CA326: Remos G3/600, N134LS, Trinidad, CO, June 19, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 19, 2010, 14:20 local (20:20 UTC) - Place: Trinidad, CO - Coordinates: 37.260276, -104.433609 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2603&lon=-104.4336&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 76358 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA326 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76358/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76358 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA326 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power in flight due to fuel exhaustion for unknown reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Remos G-3/600, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=060004I), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Remos G-3/600, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=060004I), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Remos G-3/600, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=060004I), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192); cases with it: [Remos G-3/600, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=060004I), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Remos G-3/600, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=060004I), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis **This report was modified on 2/24/2011; please see the public docket on this accident for more information** After landing for fuel, the pilot noted that "the fuel gauge read slightly above 1/2 full." The airplane's fuel capacity is 20 gallons. He asked that 8 gallons of fuel be added; however, according to the fixed base operator’s records the airplane was serviced with only 6 gallons. En route to his destination, the pilot received flight following service from air traffic control (ATC). While enroute, the pilot told controllers that he was concerned about his fuel and inquired as to the fuel services nearby. He asked for and received vectors to a nearby airport. Unable to find the airport, the pilot tried unsuccessfully to contact ATC several times. The pilot then decided to make an off-airport landing. Another aircraft advised controllers that the pilot was making an emergency landing "due to fuel exhaustion." The pilot said that the engine lost power prior to landing. During the landing on rough terrain, the landing gear was sheared off from the composite fuselage. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector questioned the pilot as to why he didn’t land for fuel at Raton, New Mexico. His reply was that he had never landed at that airport before and was unfamiliar with it. Asked if he had ever landed at Trinidad, the pilot said no. FAA inspectors who examined the airplane reported that the fuel quantity can either be checked with the fuel gauge or by examining the clear plastic tubing that shows the fuel level. An examination of the fuel gauge found it to be operating normally. No other anomalies were found; however, the engine manufacturer issued a mandatory Service Bulletin (SB) calling for replacement of the airplane's fuel pump. The SB notes that in limited cases a deviation in fuel supply can occur causing engine malfuntion or massive fuel leakage. ## Factual narrative **This report was modified on 2/24/2011; please see the public docket on this accident for more information** After landing for fuel, the pilot noted that "the fuel gauge read slightly above 1/2 full." The airplane's fuel capacity is 20 gallons. He asked that 8 gallons of fuel be added; however, according to the fixed base operator’s records the airplane was serviced with only 6 gallons. En route to his destination, the pilot received flight following service from air traffic control (ATC). While enroute, the pilot told controllers that he was concerned about his fuel and inquired as to the fuel services nearby. He asked for and received vectors to a nearby airport. Unable to find the airport, the pilot tried unsuccessfully to contact ATC several times. The pilot then decided to make an off-airport landing. Another aircraft advised controllers that the pilot was making an emergency landing "due to fuel exhaustion." The pilot said that the engine lost power prior to landing. During the landing on rough terrain, the landing gear was sheared off from the composite fuselage. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector questioned the pilot as to why he didn’t land for fuel at Raton, New Mexico. His reply was that he had never landed at that airport before and was unfamiliar with it. Asked if he had ever landed at Trinidad, the pilot said no. FAA inspectors who examined the airplane reported that the fuel quantity can either be checked with the fuel gauge or by examining the clear plastic tubing that shows the fuel level. An examination of the fuel gauge found it to be operating normally. No other anomalies were found; however, the engine manufacturer issued a mandatory Service Bulletin (SB) calling for replacement of the airplane's fuel pump. The SB notes that in limited cases a deviation in fuel supply can occur causing engine malfuntion or massive fuel leakage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N134LS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N134LS), registered now, S/N 215 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Remos Aircraft GMBH G3/600 - Registry model: [Remos G-3/600](https://openairdocs.org/model/remos-g-3-600) (registry code 060004I) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 215 - Airframe hours: 271 - Engines: Rotax 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: First Jet Now LLP - Registered owner: First Jet Now LLP - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Departed: E80, Belen, NM - Destination: COS, Colorado Sprngs, CO - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: TAD, Perry Stokes ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 537 total, 19 in this make and model, 297 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 11 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 12 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: TAD ## 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 20100619037439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100619037439A), Jun 19, 2010: Remos Aircr G-3/600, Trinidad, CO, Substantial damage. Enroute from phx to cos, airplane crashed 3 miles east of tad, it is determined that aircraft engine quit due to fuel starvation. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 16, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76358. 1.2 MB in all. - NTSB Form 6120.1-2, Pilot-Operator Aircraft Accident Report (item 1, .PDF, 556 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40333704&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120.1-2,%20Pilot-Operator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 34 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40332534&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Fuel Receipt (item 3, .PDF, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40333832&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Fuel%20Receipt-Redacted.PDF - Postinvestigation Correspondence (item 4, .PDF, 579 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344107&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Postinvestigation%20Correspondence-Redacted.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.