# NTSB CEN17LA036: Stinson L 5, N4252K, San Marcos, TX, November 6, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 6, 2016, 12:22 local (18:22 UTC) - Place: San Marcos, TX - Coordinates: 29.889999, -97.858612 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8900&lon=-97.8586&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report January 25, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94344 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN17LA036 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94344/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94344 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA036 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper fuel management before landing, which resulted in fuel starvation and the subsequent total loss of engine power during a subsequent go-around when the fuel became unported during the climbing turn. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson L-5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=8630202), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson L-5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=8630202), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Stinson L-5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=8630202), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Stinson L-5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=8630202), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Stinson L-5, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=8630202), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Stinson L-5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=8630202), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Stinson L-5, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=8630202), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot reported that the airplane bounced while landing on the runway, so he conducted a go-around. During climbout, the engine lost power at 500 ft above ground level. The pilot turned the airplane to land on another runway; however, the airplane was not able to reach the runway, so he landed on wet grass between the runways. Upon touchdown, the left main landing gear collapsed when it dug into the soft terrain, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot reported that, for the entire flight, he had the fuel selector positioned on the left tank. The pilot added that the airplane usually burned between 9 and 10 gallons of fuel per hour. Therefore, given the flight was about 1 hour 22 minutes long and the tank held 15 gallons of usable fuel, the left tank probably contained about 2 to 3 gallons of usable fuel at the time of the accident. The right fuel tank was full. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that there was no fuel in the fuel line leading into the engine. The position of the fuel pick-up line in the wing would have allowed the fuel in the wing to unport during the climbing turn. Given the low fuel level in the selected left fuel tank, it is likely that the fuel supply to the engine was interrupted during the climbing turn. If the pilot had selected the full right fuel tank, the loss of power would likely not have occurred. ## Factual narrative On November 6, 2016, about 1222 central standard time, a Stinson L5, N4252K, nosed over during a forced landing at the San Marcos Regional Airport (HYI), San Marcos, Texas. The private pilot and passenger received minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. The aircraft was registered to a private individual and was operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not on a flight plan. The flight originated from HYI about 1100.The pilot reported the airplane bounced while landing on runway 13, so he performed a go-around. He reported the engine lost power at an altitude of about 500 ft above the ground during climbout. The pilot made a turn to land on runway 35; however, the airplane was not able to make it to the runway, so he landed on the wet grass between the runways. Upon touchdown, the left main gear collapsed when it dug into the soft terrain and the airplane nosed over resulting in substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and wings. The airplane was full of fuel, 15 gallons usable in each tank, when the flight was initiated. The pilot reported he had the left fuel tank selected during the entire 1 hour, 22-minute-long flight. The pilot reported the fuel quantity indicator showed between ¼ and 3/8 of a tank of fuel remaining in the left fuel tank at the time of the accident. The right fuel tank was full, and the pilot reported he should have switched tanks before the landing. He reported the left fuel tank had previously shown signs of fuel seeping and that the fuel quantity gauges were not reliable. The pilot stated the airplane usually burned between 9 and 10 gallons per hour fuel. A postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Inspector revealed fuel was not present in the fuel line leading into the engine and there was very little fuel in the left fuel tank. The inspector stated that the location of the fuel pick-up line in the wing, would have allowed the fuel in the wing to un-port during the climb. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4252K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4252K-2018-06-08), registration cancelled 2018-06-08, S/N 3551, built 1944 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: STINSON L 5 - Registry model: [Stinson L-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-l-5) (registry code 8630202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-435](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-435) (registry code 41516, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3551 - Year built: 1944 - Airframe hours: 1256.9 - Engines: LYCOMING O-435-1 185 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2016, 8 hours before - Departed: HYI, San Marcos, TX - Destination: HYI, San Marcos, TX - Airport: HYI, San Marcos Regional, runway 35, 5,214 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 26, 2016; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,024 total, 107 in this make and model, 921 as pilot in command, 6.8 in the last 90 days, 5.8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: HYI ## 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 20161106018349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161106018349A), Nov 6, 2016: Stinson L-5, San Marcos, TX, Substantial damage. N4252K, at San Marcos airport (hyi) on November 6, 2016 at 1222 local pilot attempted to land on runway 13 without success. Pilot requested to land on runway… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 21, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94344. 757 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 538 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458278&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 127 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458279&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Record of Conversations (item 3, .PDF, 92 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458280&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversations-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.