# NTSB GAA17CA208: Dempsey Daniel M Zodiac CH601XLB, N978ER, Louisa, VA, March 25, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 25, 2017, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Louisa, VA - Coordinates: 38.009723, -77.970275 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0097&lon=-77.9703&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 31, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - NTSB case key (mKey): 94926 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA208 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94926/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94926 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA208 ## Probable cause The pilot’s in-flight fuel mismanagement and subsequent failure to maintain adequate airspeed while attempting to land on the runway, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Dempsey Daniel M ZODIAC CH601XLB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056317S), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Dempsey Daniel M ZODIAC CH601XLB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=056317S), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Dempsey Daniel M ZODIAC CH601XLB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=056317S), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Dempsey Daniel M ZODIAC CH601XLB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=056317S), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Dempsey Daniel M ZODIAC CH601XLB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=056317S), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot in the light-sport, experimental airplane reported that the flight was conducted with the intent of burning off fuel because he planned to pick up a passenger. When the pilot entered the downwind traffic pattern, the engine stopped. The pilot reported that, "my mistake had been to not switch fuel tanks before the one I was on was sucked dry." The pilot switched the fuel selector to a full tank and attempted to restart the engine as he maneuvered to reach the runway. The airplane's airspeed was slow, and the airplane stalled. The airplane landed hard on the left side of the runway centerline and remained on the runway when it came to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and the fuselage aft of the firewall. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The private pilot in the light-sport-experimental airplane reported that the flight was conducted with the intent of burning off fuel, because he planned to pick up a passenger. When the pilot entered the downwind traffic pattern, the engine stopped. The pilot reported that, "my mistake had been to not switch fuel tanks before the one I was on was sucked dry." The pilot switched the fuel selector to a full tank and attempted to re-start the engine as he maneuvered to make the runway. He was unable to re-start the engine and he over shot the runway. The airplane's airspeed was slow and the airplane stalled. The airplane landed hard on the left side of the runway centerline and remained on the runway when it came to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and the fuselage aft of the firewall. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N978ER](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N978ER), registered now, S/N 001, built 2014 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DEMPSEY DANIEL M ZODIAC CH601XLB (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Dempsey Daniel M ZODIAC CH601XLB](https://openairdocs.org/model/dempsey-daniel-m-zodiac-ch601xlb) (registry code 056317S) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Year built: 2014 - Airframe hours: 45 - Engines: Daniel Dempsey Corvair Conve reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 15, 2016 - Departed: LKU, Louisa, VA - Destination: LKU, Louisa, VA - Airport: LKU, Louisa County Airport/Freeman, runway 09, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Electronic multifunction display, Angle of attack indicator ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 12, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 130 total, 75 in this make and model, 130 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: KLKU ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 25, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94926. 4.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456597&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - No Photos (item 2, .PDF, 121 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456598&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20No%20Photos-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.