# NTSB FTW98LA193: Lerille P & W 1937, N546R, Lafayette, LA, April 25, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 25, 1998, 08:02 local (13:02 UTC) - Place: Lafayette, LA - Coordinates: 30.209573, -92.019538 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2096&lon=-92.0195&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20584 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA193 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20584/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA193 ## Probable cause The fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's failure to refuel. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion while on final approach to runway 22L. The pilot reported to the tower controller that the airplane was 'out of fuel.' The airplane landed 150 yards short of the runway. During the landing roll, the airplane impacted trees, a 'small' ditch, and came to rest inverted. No usable fuel was observed in either of the aircraft's two fuel tanks. No discrepancies were found that would have prevented normal operation of the airplane. ## Factual narrative On April 25, 1998, at 0802 central daylight time, a Lerille P & W 1937 amateur-built experimental airplane, N546R, owned and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Lafayette, Louisiana. The non-instrument rated private pilot, the sole occupant, was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from the Lafayette Regional Airport, Lafayette, Louisiana, approximately 0700. The 2,000 hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that he had accumulated a total of 13 hours in the single engine airplane. The pilot stated that the engine lost power while on final approach to runway 22L at the Lafayette Regional Airport. The airplane impacted trees during the landing roll and subsequently nosed over after impacting a "small" ditch, coming to rest in the inverted position. The airplane landed 150 yards short of the threshold of the runway. An FAA representative reviewed the ATC recordings between the pilot and the tower controller. The pilot reported to the tower controller that the aircraft was "out of fuel." An FAA inspector examined the airplane at the site and reported that both wings were destroyed and the center section of the fuselage sustained structural damage. He added that the engine mounts were broken and the engine was "tilted forward." No usable fuel was observed in either of the aircraft's two fuel tanks. No discrepancies were found that would have prevented normal operation of the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N546R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N546R), registered now, S/N JRY03, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LERILLE P & W 1937 - Registry model: [Lerille Red P & W 1937](https://openairdocs.org/model/lerille-red-p-w-1937) (registry code 05604ZW) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: JRY03 - Engines: P&W R-985-AN1 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Red Lerille - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: LFT - Airport: LFT, Lafayette Regional, runway 22L, 7,651 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,000 total, 13 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 10 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LFT ## 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 19980425007769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980425007769A), Apr 25, 1998: Lafayette, LA, Substantial damage. Acft was cleared to land rwy 22L. On short final reported out of gas. Acft crashed short on 22L off the arpt. (.4)the engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion… 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.