# NTSB LAX91LA158: Glasair III SH-3R, N93RB, Mesa, AZ, April 5, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 5, 1991, 08:57 local (15:57 UTC)
- Place: Mesa, AZ
- Location: 33.4223° N, 111.8226° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Mesa, AZ, within about 7 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4223&lon=-111.8226&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27159
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA158
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27159/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA158

## Probable cause

THE MISMANAGEMENT OF THE AIRPLANE'S FUEL SUPPLY BY THE PILOT AND HIS FAILURE TO SELECT A FUEL TANK CONTAINING SUFFICIENT FUEL FOR FLIGHT WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s)
  - object - wire,transmission
  - object - wall/barricade

## Analysis

THE CERTIFICATED COMMERCIAL PILOT WAS IN THE FINAL APPROACH PHASE OF LANDING WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND IN AN ADJACENT FIELD BUT WAS UNABLE TO MAKE THE LANDING SPOT DUE TO HIS LOW ALTITUDE. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK TREES AND POWER LINES AND THEN STRUCK A WALL IN A RESIDENTIAL YARD. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE BY FAA PERSONNEL REVEALED THAT THE MAIN FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY. SOME FUEL REMAINED IN AN AUXILIARY TANK. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS IN THE MAIN TANK POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N93RB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N93RB-1991-06-19), registration cancelled 1991-06-19, S/N 3148 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GLASAIR III SH-3R
- Registry model: [Batson R M/Kirk R D GLASAIR III](https://openairdocs.org/model/batson-r-m-kirk-r-d-glasair-iii) (registry code 05691CK) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 3148
- Airframe hours: 46
- Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert Kirk
- Registered owner: Raymond Batson & Robert Kirk
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000, 10 hours before
- Departed: FFZ, MESA, AZ
- Airport: FFZ, Falcon Field, runway 4, 5,100 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 3,300 total, 250 in this make and model, 3,014 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 45 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FFZ, 1 nm away

## 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 19910405008999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910405008999A), Apr 5, 1991: Amtr GLASAIR, Mesa, AZ, Substantial damage. Engine quit struck tree and residential fence on forced landing. Main tanks empty. Fuel in hopper. Selector on mains

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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