# NTSB MIA93LA069: Aerotek Pitts S-1T, N49308, Sun City, FL, February 14, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 14, 1993, 15:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Sun City, FL
- Location: 27.6784° N, 82.4787° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sun City, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.6784&lon=-82.4787&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 10, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33228
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA93LA069
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33228/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93LA069

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO VERIFY FUEL LOAD AFTER REFUELING, WHICH RESULTED IN 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 - normal
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

THE PILOT FUELED THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. DURING REFUELING HE HAD ANOTHER PERSON READING THE FUEL METER AND HE TOLD THIS PERSON TO CALL OUT AFTER 14 GALLONS WERE ADDED. THE PILOT DID NOT CHECK FUEL QUANTITY PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. THE ENGINE FAILED EN ROUTE AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN AN ORANGE GROVE. THE PILOT DETERMINED THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION, AND THAT THE PERSON READING THE FUEL METER HAD CALLED OUT 1.4 GALLONS NOT 14 GALLONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N49308 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AEROTEK PITTS S-1T
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1004
- Airframe hours: 465
- Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-360-A1E 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ballard, William C.
- Registered owner: Ballard, William C.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 30, 1992, 35 hours before
- Departed: X55, EUSTIS, FL
- Destination: SPG, ST PETERSBURG, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,190 total, 16 in this make and model, 1,017 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TPA, 20 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 19930214004319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930214004319A), Feb 14, 1993: Child S1TPITTS, Sun City, FL, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. Force landing in orange grove. Believed added 14 gallons but was 1.4. No visual check.

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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