# NTSB DEN00LA090: Eagle DW-1, N8803H, Boulder, UT, May 18, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 18, 2000, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Boulder, UT - Coordinates: 37.920516, -111.479301 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9205&lon=-111.4793&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49225 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN00LA090 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49225/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN00LA090 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to take timely remedial action when he realized a low fuel state. Factors were fuel exhaustion and low airspeed. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - airspeed - low (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing - roll - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - runway ## Analysis The pilot departed Parowan, Utah, with a full load of chemical (165 gallons of Malathion ULV) and full fuel (60 gallons) en route to Boulder, Utah, (total payload approximately 1700 pounds). Towards the end of the aerial application (1,100+ acres), wind velocity began increasing and, noticing that the fuel gauge registered 1/8 to 1/4 fuel remaining, the pilot turned towards Escalante, where he planned to land and refuel. Over Boulder, the fuel gauge indicated empty. The pilot briefly considered landing at Boulder, but decided the unimproved airstrip was inadequate. Five miles from Escalante and 2 miles past Boulder, the pilot realized the terrain ahead was not conducive to a forced landing. He turned back towards the Boulder airstrip. The engine lost power 1/2-mile from the airstrip. Activating the boost pump resulted in 2 seconds of engine power, enough for the airplane to cross the runway threshold. Airspeed had deteriorated to 60 mph and the airplane landed hard. The nose started to 'dip' and the pilot applied full nose up elevator. The airplane continued to nose over, crushing the vertical stabilizer. ## Factual narrative On May 18, 2000, approximately 1000 mountain daylight time, an Eagle DW-1, N8803H, registered to and operated by Parowan Crop Dusting Services, Inc., was substantially damaged when it landed hard at Boulder, Utah. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant aboard, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local aerial application flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 137. The flight originated at Parowan, Utah, approximately 0510. According to the pilot's accident report, he departed Parowan with a full load of chemical (165 gallons of Malathion ULV) and full fuel (60 gallons) en route to Boulder (total payload approximately 1700 pounds). The route of flight was south to Huricane Mesa, east to Bryce Canyon and Escalante, thence to Boulder. Towards the end of the aerial application (1,100+ acres), wind velocity began increasing and, noticing that the fuel gauge registered 1/8 to 1/4 fuel remaining, the pilot turned towards Escalante, where he planned to land and refuel. Over Boulder, the fuel gauge indicated empty. The pilot briefly considered landing at Boulder, but decided the unimproved airstrip was inadequate. Five miles from Escalante and 2 miles past Boulder, the pilot realized the terrain ahead was not conducive to a forced landing. He turned back towards the Boulder airstrip. The engine lost power 1/2-mile from the airstrip. Activating the boost pump resulted in 2 seconds of engine power, enough for the airplane to cross the runway threshold. Airspeed had deteriorated to 60 mph and the airplane landed hard. The nose started to "dip" and the pilot applied full nose up elevator. The airplane continued to nose over, crushing the vertical stabilizer. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8803H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8803H-2001-08-01), registration cancelled 2001-08-01, S/N DW-1-0023-81 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Eagle Aircraft Co. DW-1 - Registry model: [Eagle EAGLE DW-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/eagle-eagle-dw-1) (registry code 3230203) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: DW-1-0023-81 - Airframe hours: 2059 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-M1B5D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Parowan Crop Dusting Services - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 15, 2000, 31 hours before - Departed: 1L9, PAROWAN, UT - Airport: NONE, Boulder ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,200 total, 450 in this make and model, 1,140 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F ## 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 20000518008399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000518008399A), May 18, 2000: Eagle DW1, Boulder, UT, Substantial damage. (-23)Pilot reported aircraft ran out of fuel and found the nearest emergency area to land, which was a field dirt road running south/east direction with cliffs… ## Other investigations on N8803H (1) 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 ATL82DA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DA058), Feb 24, 1982: Eagle DW-1 (N8803H), Clarksdale, MS, substantial damage 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.