# NTSB ERA11LA473: Woolston Glenn E Zenith 701 Stol, N246CV, Carlton, NY, August 26, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 26, 2011, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Carlton, NY - Coordinates: 43.325553, -78.212776 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3256&lon=-78.2128&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81606 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11LA473 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81606/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81606 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA473 ## Probable cause The pilot’s lack of recognition that the engine was being supplied fuel from only the right tank with the fuel selector in the both position, which resulted in the total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the blockage of the left fuel tank supply line. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system: fuel distribution](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Woolston Glenn E ZENITH 701 STOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md?model=05615HQ), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Woolston Glenn E ZENITH 701 STOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=05615HQ), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Woolston Glenn E ZENITH 701 STOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=05615HQ), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Woolston Glenn E ZENITH 701 STOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=05615HQ), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Woolston Glenn E ZENITH 701 STOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05615HQ), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Woolston Glenn E ZENITH 701 STOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05615HQ), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Woolston Glenn E ZENITH 701 STOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05615HQ), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis Several days before the accident flight, the pilot performed a local flight in the accident airplane, and, at the beginning of the flight, each fuel tank contained about 8 gallons of fuel. At the initiation of the accident flight, the pilot performed a preflight inspection and noted that the left tank still had 8 gallons of fuel but that the right tank had only 2 gallons. He departed with the fuel selector positioned to the both position, and, about 15 minutes into the flight, the engine sputtered then lost power completely. The pilot maneuvered the airplane for a forced landing in a field. After touchdown with obstructions ahead, he applied the brakes, and the airplane nosed over. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed a blockage of the left fuel tank supply line resulting in no fuel flow to the engine. No other discrepancies were reported. The evidence is consistent with the pilot having exhausted all usable fuel in the right fuel tank, and, due to the fuel line blockage in the left fuel tank supply line, the engine did not receive any fuel from the left tank. ## Factual narrative On August 26, 2011, about 1800 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur built Woolston CH701, N246CV, registered to a private individual, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in a field near Carlton, New York. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal, local flight from Gaines Valley Aviation Airport (NY06), Albion, New York. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant sustained minor injury. The flight originated from NY06 about 1745. The pilot stated that on either August 21st or August 22nd, each fuel tank contained 8 gallons of automotive fuel. The airplane was then operated uneventfully on successive short duration flights with no additional fuel added to the fuel tanks. The pilot further stated that before departure on the accident flight, he used a dipstick to check the fuel quantity in each wing fuel tank. The left fuel tank contained 8 gallons and the right fuel tank contained 2 gallons. He planned on a 20 to 25 minute flight and departed towards the north with the fuel selector positioned to both. While flying about 600 to 800 feet above ground level, the engine sputtered then quit. He looked for a place to land and maneuvered the airplane for a forced landing to a field. After touchdown in the field, he noticed components of an irrigation system and applied the brakes to avoid the equipment but the airplane nosed over. Postaccident inspection of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed no fuel flow from the left fuel tank to the engine compartment. Further inspection revealed a nipple part number P/N F125-4A from the left fuel supply system was clogged with a small piece of rubber which prevented fuel flow. No other discrepancies were reported. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N246CV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N246CV-2013-12-30), registration cancelled 2013-12-30, S/N 74830, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: WOOLSTON GLENN E ZENITH 701 STOL - Registry model: [Woolston Glenn E ZENITH 701 STOL](https://openairdocs.org/model/woolston-glenn-e-zenith-701-stol) (registry code 05615HQ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax SEE BOMBADIER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (registry code 55555, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 74830 - Engines: ROTAX 912S 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Woolston Glenn E - Registered owner: Woolston Glenn E - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 1, 2011 - Departed: NY06, Albion, NY - Destination: NY06, Albion, NY ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 83; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 600 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: ROC, 26 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 20110826028829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110826028829A), Aug 26, 2011: Woolston Glenn E ZENITH 701 STOL, Waterport, NY, Substantial damage. Aircraft engine stop runing. Fuel line from left wing was clogged and fuel could not reach the engine. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 30, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81606. 488 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 300 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359841&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359879&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement with Supporting Diagram (item 3, .PDF, 73 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359842&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement%20with%20Supporting%20Diagram-Redacted.PDF - Record of NTSB Conversation with Pilot (item 4, .PDF, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359880&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20NTSB%20Conversation%20with%20Pilot-Redacted.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.