# NTSB ERA23LA388: Remos GX, N81GX, Fort Pierce, FL, September 6, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report
- Date: September 6, 2023, 14:37 local (18:37 UTC)
- Place: Fort Pierce, FL
- Coordinates: 27.47899, -80.53301
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.4790&lon=-80.5330&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO, Rotech, BFU
- NTSB case key (mKey): 193280
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA388
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193280/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193280
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA388

## Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during cruise flight 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: [Remos Acft Gmbh Flugzeugbau REMOS GX, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=060006H), [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: [Remos Acft Gmbh Flugzeugbau REMOS GX, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=060006H), [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.

- [Enroute-cruise: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Remos Acft Gmbh Flugzeugbau REMOS GX, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=060006H), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Remos Acft Gmbh Flugzeugbau REMOS GX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=060006H), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Remos Acft Gmbh Flugzeugbau REMOS GX, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=060006H), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that the airplane had not flown for about 1 year, and he was told 5 gallons of automobile gasoline remained in it during that time. The pilot further stated that he added an additional 10 gallons of automobile gasoline before the accident flight; however, he was unable to provide a receipt for that fuel. About 30 minutes into a cross-country flight to another airport to purchase more fuel, the engine exhibited a decrease in rpm followed by a total loss of engine power. The pilot managed to restart the engine but it lost all power again. He was unable to glide the airplane to the nearest airport and subsequently performed a forced landing to a field. Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed that the single 22-gallon fuselage fuel tank remained intact and contained no fuel. Additionally, the engine-driven fuel pump, fuel lines, and carburetors contained no fuel. Once fuel was added, the engine started normally and ran continuously. Based on this information, it is likely that during the flight, the airplane’s fuel supply was exhausted, which resulted in the total loss of engine power.

## Factual narrative

On September 6, 2023, about 1437 eastern daylight time, a special light sport Remos GX airplane, N81GX, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Fort Pierce, Florida. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was equipped with one 22-gallon fuel tank, which was located in the aft fuselage. The pilot reported that the airplane had not flown for about 1 year, and he was told 5 gallons of automobile gasoline remained in it during that time. The pilot further stated that he added an additional 10 gallons of automobile gasoline before the accident flight; however, he unable to provide a receipt for that fuel. He completed a preflight inspection and no anomalies were noted. He then departed from Aero Acres Airport (FD88), Fort Pierce, Florida, and flew in the airport traffic pattern uneventfully for several minutes before proceeding on course to Kissimmee Gateway Airport (ISM), Orlando, Florida, to purchase more fuel. About 30 minutes after departure, at 3,000 ft mean sea level, the engine exhibited a decrease in rpm followed by a total loss of engine power. The pilot managed to restart the engine but it lost all power again. He then declared an emergency to air traffic control; however, he was unable to glide the airplane to the nearest airport. The pilot subsequently performed a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest upright. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the composite structure of the lower fuselage. The wreckage was further examined following its transport to a recovery facility. Recovery and maintenance personnel reported that the fuel tank remained intact and contained no fuel. Additionally, the engine-driven fuel pump, fuel lines, and carburetors contained no fuel. A mechanic installed a temporary magneto switch as the ignition key was lost during the accident. He then attached a 16-oz bottle of gasoline to the inlet side of the engine-driven fuel pump via a clean fuel hose. After operating for a few seconds, the pump filled the carburetors and the engine started and ran normally.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N81GX](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N81GX), registered now, S/N 304, built 2009 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: REMOS GX (NO SERIES EXISTS)
- Registry model: [Remos Acft Gmbh Flugzeugbau REMOS GX](https://openairdocs.org/model/remos-acft-gmbh-flugzeugbau-remos-gx) (registry code 060006H) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 304
- Year built: 2009
- Airframe hours: 2500
- Engines: Rotax 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, July 28, 2023, 5 hours before
- Destination: ISM, Kissimmee, FL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Equipment: Auto-pilot, Electronic primary flight display, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Airframe parachute, Angle of attack indicator

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 10, 2021; seat: left; flight hours: 214 total, 85 in this make and model, 96 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observed at: FPR, 8 nm away
- METAR: METAR KFPR 061853Z 11010KT 10SM CLR 31/21 A2998

## 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 20230906018739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230906018739A), Sep 6, 2023: Remos Acft Gmbh Flugzeugbau REMOS GX, Ft. Pierce, FL, Substantial damage. A light sport Remos aircraft N81GX, based at the Ft. Pierce (indian river county airport), was being flown under part 91.327 prior to its sale and transfer.…

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 24, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193280. 3.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16459238&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Memoranda for the record (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 82 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16458632&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MFRs-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum for record - pilot email (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 64 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17367521&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MFR-Rel.pdf
- Excerpts from aircraft logbooks (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 275 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16458642&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Aircraft%20Logbook%20Excepts_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photo array (item 5, PDF, 4 pages, 3 photos, 612 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16458121&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20-Rel.pdf
- Engine run video (mov, 10 sec, 394K) (item 6, MOV, 403 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16458865&FileExtension=MOV&FileName=Engine%20Run-Rel.MOV

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.

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