# NTSB MIA08CA140: Quad City Ultralight Challenger II, N2785A, Windslow Twp, NJ, July 13, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 13, 2008, 19:58 local (23:58 UTC) - Place: Windslow Twp, NJ - Coordinates: 40.298118, -74.521789 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2981&lon=-74.5218&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68437 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08CA140 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68437/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08CA140 ## Probable cause The pilot's inaccurate fuel consumption calculations which led to fuel exhaustion and subsequent loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Quad City Ultralight Acft CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=059010Q), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Quad City Ultralight Acft CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=059010Q), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Quad City Ultralight Acft CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=059010Q), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Quad City Ultralight Acft CHALLENGER II, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=059010Q), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Quad City Ultralight Acft CHALLENGER II, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=059010Q), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot incorrectly calculated the fuel consumption for the planned flight to be 3.3 gallons per hour (gph), instead of 5.4 gph as referenced in the operator's manual. After takeoff with a full 10-gallon fuel tank, the pilot flew for approximately 1 hour then turned to return. At that time the fuel gauge showed "1/2" tank. During the return leg, the pilot noticed the fuel quantity gauge was indicating approximately "1/4" tank. He diverted towards a nearby airport, but the engine experienced a total loss of engine power. While descending for the forced landing, the airplane collided with a tree. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the fuel tank remained intact and was absent of fuel. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he filled the amateur-built Challenger II airplane's 10-gallon fuel tank before departure, and he uses approximately 3.3 gallons per hour (gph) in his fuel consumption calculations. After takeoff, he flew for about 1 hour, and then elected to return to the departure airport. At that time, the fuel quantity gauge indicated "1/2" remaining. The flight continued, and at an unknown time, the fuel quantity gauge indicated "1/4" remaining. He diverted towards a nearby airport, but the engine experienced total loss of engine power. While descending for a forced landing, the airplane collided with a tree. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed the fuel tank was empty. It was not breached and there was no evidence of fuel leakage. The Rotax "Operators Manual" indicates fuel consumption to be 7.0 and 5.4 gph at takeoff and 75 percent continuous power, respectively. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2785A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2785A-2017-07-06), registration cancelled 2017-07-06, S/N CH 21293-1067, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Quad City Ultralight Aircraft Challenger II - Registry model: [Quad City Ultralight Acft CHALLENGER II](https://openairdocs.org/model/quad-city-ultralight-acft-challenger-ii) (registry code 059010Q) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 582DCDI](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582dcdi) (registry code 55562, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CH 21293-1067 - Airframe hours: 131 - Engines: Rotax 582 DCDI 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ronald Miller - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, December 1, 2007, 6 hours before - Departed: N14, Lumberton, NJ - Destination: N14, Lumberton, NJ - Airport: 19N, Camden County Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 4,010 total, 65 in this make and model, 3,875 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.76 inHg - Observed at: VAY, 11 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 20080713840939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080713840939A), Jul 13, 2008: Amtr CHALLENGERII, Winslow Townsh, NJ, Substantial damage. (-23) On July 13,2008, an ultralight (N2785A) operated under FAR part 91 landed off airport on a resident's front lawn closest to 701 watertown road in Winslow… 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.