# NTSB CEN19LA153: Champion 8KCAB, N68557, Fredericksburg, TX, May 25, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 25, 2019, 13:35 local (18:35 UTC) - Place: Fredericksburg, TX - Coordinates: 30.281944, -98.85778 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2819&lon=-98.8578&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 99483 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN19LA153 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99483/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99483 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA153 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 8KCAB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=1220801), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 8KCAB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=1220801), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: flight planning/navigation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 8KCAB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md?model=1220801), [All aircraft, 179 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md) - [Wind: high wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Bellanca 8KCAB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055/cases.md?model=1220801), [All aircraft, 112 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Bellanca 8KCAB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=1220801), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Bellanca 8KCAB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=1220801), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot and passenger were conducting a cross-country flight following the airplane's annual inspection. During cruise flight, the flight experienced higher-than-forecast wind and the pilot was concerned about fuel quantity, so he diverted to a nearby airport. During the diversion, the engine lost power and the airplane was substantially damaged during the subsequent forced landing. A postaccident examination revealed that both fuel tanks were empty. An examination of the engine and fuel system revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation; therefore, the loss of engine power is consistent with fuel exhaustion. ## Factual narrative On May 25, 2019, about 1335 central daylight time, a Champion 8KCAB airplane, N68557, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to a field near Fredericksburg, Texas. The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was owned and operated by a private individual. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the flight. The cross-country flight originated from Aero Country Airport (T31), McKinney, Texas, about 1105, and was en route to Boerne Stage Field Airport (5C1), San Antonio, Texas. The pilot stated that the annual inspection had just been completed on the airplane. After the completion of the maintenance, the pilot flew a test flight and stated that there were no issues or anomalies with the airplane during that flight. The pilot estimated his flight time to 5C1 at 2.5 hours and stated that the airplane had 30 gallons of fuel at the time of takeoff. The pilot reported that during cruise flight, they experienced higher-than-forecast wind and he was concerned about his fuel quantity. He diverted towards Gillespie County Airport (T82), Fredericksburg, Texas, and shortly thereafter, the engine lost power. During the forced landing the airplane collided with tree stumps and nosed over. The wings and empennage were substantially damaged. A postaccident examination revealed that both fuel tanks were empty. An examination of the engine, and fuel system revealed no mechanical anomalies that would preclude normal operations. In addition, the pilot stated that there were no suspected mechanical anomalies with the airplane or engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N68557](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N68557-2022-12-13), registration cancelled 2022-12-13, S/N 41-72, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Champion 8KCAB (No Series) - Registry model: [Bellanca 8KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-8kcab) (registry code 1220801) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 41-72 - Year built: 1972 - Airframe hours: 2269.4 - Engines: Lycoming AEIO-360H1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 25, 2019 - Departed: T31, McKinney, TX - Destination: 5C1, San Antonio, TX - Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: minor; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 28, 2018; seat: rear; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 6,562 total, 57 in this make and model, 5,423 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days, 36 in the last 30 days, 2.7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,900 ft broken - Temperature: 88 °F - Observed at: 12 nm away ## Other investigations on N68557 (2) 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. - [NTSB LAX87LA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA075), Jan 4, 1987: Bellanca 8KCAB (N68557), Tucson, AZ, substantial damage - [NTSB LAX78DA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX78DA068), Aug 18, 1978: Bellanca 8KCAB (N68557), Elcentro, CA, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 15, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99483. 5.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 5.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479907&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot Statement to FAA (item 2, .PDF, 195 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479908&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement%20to%20FAA-Master.PDF - Mechanic Statement (item 3, .PDF, 37 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479909&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Mechanic%20Statement-Master.PDF - Accident Report Photographs (item 4, .PDF, 414 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479910&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Report%20Photographs-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.