# NTSB ERA10CA258: Moynahan Moynahan Pitts S-1S, N5FM, Newnan, GA, May 9, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 9, 2010, 18:45 local (22:45 UTC) - Place: Newnan, GA - Coordinates: 33.311389, -84.769721 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3114&lon=-84.7697&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report August 12, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75966 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA258 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75966/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75966 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA258 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's inadequate preflight fuel planning. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Moynahan MOYNAHAN PITTS S-1S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=7220725), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Moynahan MOYNAHAN PITTS S-1S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=7220725), [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. - [Initial climb: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Moynahan MOYNAHAN PITTS S-1S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=7220725), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Moynahan MOYNAHAN PITTS S-1S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7220725), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Moynahan MOYNAHAN PITTS S-1S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7220725), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the amateur-built aerobatic airplane stated that he planned to perform three touch-and-go landings. Prior to flight he used a stick he had previously calibrated to check his main fuel tank. His main fuel tank held 19 gallons, with 1 gallon unusable, and he did not store any fuel in his auxiliary fuel tank. He measured 5 to 6 inches of fuel on his stick, which he equated to approximately 6.5 gallons of fuel. About 15 minutes after engine start the pilot was completing his third touch-and-go landing when, on the upwind leg and at approximately 300 feet above ground level, the engine lost all power. The pilot attempted to turn around and land on the runway in the opposite direction of takeoff; however, the airplane impacted the airport ramp area and came to rest upright. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the main fuel tank, including the clear fuel line leading from the tank to the fuel selector valve, was absent of fuel. The inspector and airport personnel did not notice any evidence of the fuel tank being compromised or any postimpact fuel spill. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the amateur-built aerobatic airplane stated that he planned to perform three touch-and-go landings. Prior to flight, he used a stick he had previously calibrated, and "dipped" his main fuel tank. His main fuel tank held 19 gallons, with 1 gallon unusable, and he did not store any fuel in his auxiliary fuel tank. He measured 5 to 6 inches of fuel on his stick, which he equated to approximately 6.5 gallons of fuel. About 15 minutes after engine start, the pilot was completing his third touch-and-go landing. On the upwind leg, at approximately 300 feet above ground level, the engine lost all power. The pilot attempted to turn around and land on the runway in the opposite direction of takeoff; however, the airplane impacted the airport ramp area and came to rest upright. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the main fuel tank, including the clear fuel line leading from the tank to the fuel selector valve, was absent of fuel. The inspector and airport personnel did not notice any evidence of the fuel tank being compromised or any postimpact fuel spill. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5FM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5FM), registered now, S/N 0001, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MOYNAHAN MOYNAHAN PITTS S-1S - Registry model: [Moynahan MOYNAHAN PITTS S-1S](https://openairdocs.org/model/moynahan-moynahan-pitts-s-1s) (registry code 7220725) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 0001 - Airframe hours: 130 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Moynahan Frank J - Registered owner: Moynahan Frank J - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 6, 2010, 0 hours before - Departed: CCO, Newnan, GA - Destination: CCO, Newnan, GA - Airport: CCO, Newnan Coweta County Airport, runway 14, 5,500 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 8, 2009; seat: single; flight hours: 574 total, 115 in this make and model, 574 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: CCO ## 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 20100509033309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100509033309A), May 9, 2010: Moynahan MOYNAHAN PI, Newnan, GA, Substantial damage. In a telephone interview on 05-10-2010, the pilot, Mr. Tom f. Moynahan (770) 304-4000, stated that he checked the fuel in the tank with a stick and was… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 22, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75966. 208 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 121 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40330227&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Interview Summaries (item 2, .PDF, 74 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40330228&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Summaries-Master.PDF - Weather Report (item 3, .PDF, 13 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40330229&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-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.