# NTSB ERA15CA272: Smith Steen Skybolt, N31CS, Junction City, KY, July 18, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 18, 2015, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Junction City, KY - Coordinates: 37.577499, -84.769447 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5775&lon=-84.7694&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 11, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 91587 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15CA272 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91587/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91587 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15CA272 ## Probable cause The pilot's inaccurate fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. ## 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: [Smith STEEN SKYBOLT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=0565592), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Smith STEEN SKYBOLT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=0565592), [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. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Smith STEEN SKYBOLT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=0565592), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Smith STEEN SKYBOLT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=0565592), [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: [Smith STEEN SKYBOLT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=0565592), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Smith STEEN SKYBOLT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0565592), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the accident flight was his first flight in the experimental airplane. He planned a fuel stop during his long cross-country flight based on an estimated 12 gallons per hour fuel consumption rate. The pilot further stated that his estimated fuel consumption rate did not account for the fact that the engine had been upgraded from carbureted to fuel injected. During the first leg of the cross-country flight, the airplane was on approach to the planned fuel-stop airport; however, the pilot performed a go-around as the airplane ballooned during flare. During the go-around, about 500 feet above ground level, the engine lost all power and the pilot performed a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the airplane struck an unoccupied house and came to rest on its right side. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane's single fuel tank was not compromised and was absent of fuel. The examination did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any. The inspector also noted the right wing and fuselage were substantially damaged. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the accident flight was his first flight in the experimental airplane. He planned a fuel stop during his long cross-country flight based on an estimated 12 gallons per hour fuel consumption rate. The pilot further stated that his estimated fuel consumption rate did not account for the fact that the engine had been upgraded from carbureted to fuel injected. During the first leg of the cross-country flight, the airplane was on approach to the planned fuel-stop airport; however, the pilot performed a go-around as the airplane ballooned during flare. During the go-around, about 500 feet above ground level, the engine lost all power and the pilot performed a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the airplane struck an unoccupied house and came to rest on its right side. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane's single fuel tank was not compromised and was absent of fuel. The examination did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any. The inspector also noted the right wing and fuselage were substantially damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N31CS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N31CS-2018-03-13), registration cancelled 2018-03-13, S/N 1, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SMITH STEEN SKYBOLT - Registry model: [Smith STEEN SKYBOLT](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-steen-skybolt) (registry code 0565592) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1 - Year built: 1979 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Packard Glenn S - Registered owner: Packard Glenn S - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, January 31, 2015 - Departed: CFJ, Crawfordsville, IN - Destination: DVK, Danville, KY - Airport: DVK, Stuart Powell Field, runway 30, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 2, 2014; seat: rear; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 429 total, 3 in this make and model, 0 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: LEX, 30 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 20150718012789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150718012789A), Jul 18, 2015: Smith STEEN SKYBOLT, Danville, KY, Destroyed. Aircraft departed crawfodsville, enroute to lawrence, SC. It appears the aircraft ran out of fuel while making a go around at the Danville, KY airport. Pilot… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 27, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91587. 2.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429797&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429798&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - Photo 1 – Main Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429799&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Main%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.