# NTSB LAX07CA144: Gadbois Apex Cross 5, N751EW, Show Low, AZ, April 28, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 28, 2007, 10:57 local (17:57 UTC) - Place: Show Low, AZ - Coordinates: 34.331943, -109.994445 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3319&lon=-109.9944&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 65723 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07CA144 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65723/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA144 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate in-flight fuel consumption calculations and failure to divert to an alternate airport, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to 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 - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fuel consumption calculations - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - high vegetation ## Analysis The airplane collided with high vegetation during an off-airport forced landing following a loss of engine power. The pilot had completed the flight earlier in the day from Show Low to Holbrook, and had required about 3 1/2 gallons of fuel. He took a spare tank of fuel with him on the flight, which he used to top off his main tank when he arrived at Holbrook. On the return flight, he observed that fuel was depleting at higher than normal rate, but believed that he could still make it to his destination. He eventually ran out of fuel 1 1/2 miles northeast of Show Low airport. He believed that he had a fuel leak. ## Factual narrative On May 28, 2007, about 1057 mountain standard time, a Gadbois experimental Apex Cross-5, N751EW, experienced a total loss of engine power and collided with scrub trees near Show Low Regional Airport, Show Low, Arizona. The registered owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The cross-country flight departed Holbrook Municipal Airport, Holbrook, Arizona, at an unknown time, with a planned destination of Show Low. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot stated to an FAA inspector that the airplane had completed the flight earlier in the day from Show Low to Holbrook, and had required about 3 1/2 gallons of fuel. He took a spare tank of fuel with him on the flight, which he used to top off his main tank when he arrived at Holbrook. On the return flight, he observed that fuel was depleting at higher than normal rate, but believed he could still make it to his destination. He eventually ran out of fuel 1 1/2 miles northeast of Show Low airport. He stated that he believed he had a fuel leak. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N751EW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N751EW), registered now, S/N 1001, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Gadbois Apex Cross 5 - Registry model: [Gadbois Eugene W APEX CROSS-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/gadbois-eugene-w-apex-cross-5) (registry code 05901GA) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Compact Ra MZ202](https://openairdocs.org/engine/compact-ra-mz202) (registry code 14700, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1001 - Engines: Compact RA MZ202 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William Gadbois - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special); Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: P14, HOLBROOK, AZ - Destination: SOW, SHOW LOW, AZ - Airport: SOW, Show Low, runway 21, 3,937 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 200 total, 100 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.28 inHg - Observed at: SOW ## 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 20070428007859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070428007859A), Apr 28, 2007: Amtr APEXCROSS5, Show Low, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot departed holbrook, AZ to Show Low, AZ with 6 gallons of fuel on board. His flight required about 3 to 3 1/2 gallons. As the flight progressed he… ## Other investigations on N751EW (1) 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. - [NTSB CEN11LA186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA186), Feb 11, 2011: Gadbois Eugene W Apex CROSS-5 (N751EW), Lago Vista, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The simultaneous loss of engine and electrical power after takeoff for undetermined reasons. 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.