# NTSB FTW95LA251: Stewart Pitts S-1S, N901S, Cleburne, TX, June 19, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 18, 1995, 19:32 local (Jun 19, 1995, 00:32 UTC) - Place: Cleburne, TX - Coordinates: 32.349349, -97.329666 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3493&lon=-97.3297&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report December 19, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19460 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA251 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19460/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA251 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S MISJUDGED FLARE AND THE ENSUING HARD LANDING. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS AND THE FUEL EXHAUSTION. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - fuel consumption calculations - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD 8 GALLONS OF FUEL ONBOARD. THIRTY MINUTES INTO HIS CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT THE ENGINE 'COUGHED.' HE PUMPED THE AIRPLANE'S WOBBLE FUEL PUMP AND THE ENGINE 'CLEARED.' APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES FURTHER, THE ENGINE 'STOPPED.' DURING THE FORCED LANDING TO A FIELD, THE AIRPLANE LANDED 'HARD', NOSED OVER AND CAME TO REST INVERTED. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE BY THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION INSPECTOR REVEALED LESS THAN 1/2 CUP OF FUEL IN THE AIRPLANE; AND, THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL SPILLAGE. THE ENGINE MANUFACTURER OPERATOR'S MANUAL INDICATES THAT THE FUEL BURN RATES FOR THIS ENGINE AT NORMAL RATED POWER IS 16.1 GALLONS PER HOUR. ## Factual narrative On June 18, 1995, at 1932 central daylight time, a Stewart Pitts S-1S, N901S, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Cleburne, Texas. The private pilot was seriously injured. The aircraft was being operated by the owner/builder under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from the Aero Country Airport near McKinney, Texas, at 1900. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross country flight and a flight plan was not filed. On the enclosed Pilot/Operator Report, the pilot stated that there were 8 gallons of fuel in the tank during a preflight at McKinney. The pilot stated that this engine consumed 8 gallons per hour during cross country flights. Approximately 30 minutes after departure, the engine "coughed." The pilot pumped the wobble fuel pump and the engine "cleared." Subsequently the engine "stopped," and the pilot executed a forced landing to a field. Following the "hard" landing, the airplane nosed over coming to rest inverted. Examination of the airplane by the Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that "less than 1/2 a cup of fuel was found in the aircraft's fuel system." No evidence of fuel spillage was found. The engine manufacturer operator's manual indicates the following fuel burn rates for this engine: Normal Rated (2700 RPM, 200 HP) 16.1 Gal./Hr. 75% Rated (2450 RPM, 150 HP) 12.3 Gal./Hr. 65% Rated (2350 RPM, 130 HP) 9.5 Gal./Hr. The 32 minutes of flight time reported by the pilot did not include fuel used for start up, taxi, and runup. ## Aircraft - Registration: N901S (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: STEWART PITTS S-1S - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: SA-901 - Airframe hours: 170 - Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-360-A1A 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Shelton O. Stewart - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 1995, 18 hours before - Departed: TX05, MCKINNEY, TX - Destination: F18 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 445 total, 169 in this make and model, 378 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 10 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °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 19950618042109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950618042109A), Jun 18, 1995: Amtr PITTSS1T, Cleburne, TX, Substantial damage. Had incorrect judgement of fuel burn and low fuel on departure. Lost power. Nosed over landing. Fuel tank empty. 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.