# NTSB CHI01LA030: Aviat Pitts S-2B, N169DM, Worth, IL, November 1, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 1, 2000, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Worth, IL - Coordinates: 41.679561, -87.790527 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6796&lon=-87.7905&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 23, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50578 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA030 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50578/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA030 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight of the airplane and his failure to verify the fuel supply on board, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. Factors associated with the accident were the low altitude at which the power loss occurred and the lack of suitable terrain given the low altitude. ## 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) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fuel supply - not verified, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - altitude - low (contributing factor) - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing ## Analysis The airplane impacted the terrain following a loss of engine power. The pilot reported that he performed a preflight of the airplane with the exception of verifying a chart used to keep track of the fuel on board. According to the pilot he thought there were 19 gallons of fuel on board, however, 15.2 gallons of the fuel were used on a previous flight. He reported, "...I misread that part of the calculation." Fuel exhaustion occurred about 20 minutes after takeoff while at an altitude of 1,050 feet above the ground. The pilot reported "Approximately 22 seconds later I impacted the ground with a 75' landing distance, measured using step method. A/C did not roll or tumble, but I was able to keep it upright through the impact. The speed of impact was approximately 110 mph as I had to avoid a bridge and set it down immediately." He reported on the form that the accident cold have been prevented "By thorough ground, physical, preflight. Do not use a chart, without actual in sight ck. of fuel levels." ## Factual narrative On November 1, 2000, at 1600 central standard time, an Aviat Pitts S-2B, N169DM, operated by a commercial pilot collided with the terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power. The forced landing was made in a field near 115th and Beloit Avenue in Worth, Illinois. The pilot was not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated from Kankakee, Illinois, at 1540. The pilot reported that he performed a preflight of the airplane with the exception of verifying a chart used to keep track of the fuel on board. According to the pilot he thought there were 19 gallons of fuel on board, however, 15.2 gallons of the fuel were used on a previous flight. He reported, "...I misread that part of the calculation." The pilot reported that fuel exhaustion occurred approximately 20 minutes after takeoff. He was at an altitude of 1,050 feet above the ground. He reported, "Approximately 22 seconds later I impacted the ground with a 75' landing distance, measured using step method. A/C did not roll or tumble, but I was able to keep it upright through the impact. The speed of impact was approximately 110 mph as I had to avoid a bridge and set it down immediately." The pilot completed an NTSB Form 6120.1/2. He reported on the form that the accident cold have been prevented "By thorough ground, physical, preflight. Do not use a chart, without actual in sight ck. of fuel levels." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N169DM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N169DM), registered now, S/N 5330, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aviat PITTS S-2B - Registry model: [Aviat PITTS S-2B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-pitts-s-2b) (registry code 2210308) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-540-series) (registry code 41568, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5287 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Alfred R. Judd - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Departed: IKK, KANKAKEE, IL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 3,485 total, 145 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 162 °F, dew point 118 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MDW, 14 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 20001101043089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20001101043089A), Nov 1, 2000: Aviat PITTSS2B, Kankakee, IL, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot departed the gauge Kankakee airport (ikk) for a 45 minute pleasure flight in the local area. Pilot stated that he didn't physically check the fuel… 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.