# NTSB MIA97LA113: Chance Vought F4U, N45NL, New Smyrna Bch, FL, April 4, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 4, 1997, 11:20 local (16:20 UTC) - Place: New Smyrna Bch, FL - Coordinates: 29.019962, -80.920799 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.0200&lon=-80.9208&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38241 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA113 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38241/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA113 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to assure that an adequate supply of fuel was on board for the intended flight. ## 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) - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - Ditching, emergency landing - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The pilot stated that during his preflight inspection of the airplane the fuel gages indicated 120 gallons. He visually checked the fuel tank; however, he did not stick the fuel tank. He departed on the flight and joined up with another airplane at 3,500 feet. A person in a T6 airplane was taking photos of his airplane. His engine started to sputter. He checked his fuel selector on, boost pump on high, mixture full rich, and that the magnetos were on both. He informed the other pilot that he was returning to the airport. The engine continued to sputter and quit about 20 seconds later. He made a forced landing to the water. Examination of the airplane after recovery revealed the fuel tank was not ruptured. There was an odor of fuel in the fuel tank. No fuel was present in the fuel tank, and about one cup of water was present near the rear of the fuel tank. ## Factual narrative On April 4, 1997, about 1120 eastern standard time, a Chance Vought F4U , registered to L Clark Hill Trustee, operated by Collings Children's Trust, as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight experienced a total loss of engine power, and ditched in the water adjacent to New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot was not injured. The flight originated from New Smyrna Beach about 50 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated during the preflight inspection of the airplane that the fuel gages indicated that he had 120 gallons of fuel. In addition he visually checked the fuel tank and observed fuel, however he did not stick the fuel tank. He departed a short time later and was flying over the water at 3,500 feet. Another person in a T6 airplane was taking photos of his airplane. The engine started sputtering. He confirmed the fuel selector was on, boost pump was on high, mixture was full rich, and that the magnetos were on both. The engine continued to sputter. He informed the other pilot that he was returning to the airport. About 20 seconds later, the engine quit. He declared an emergency and made a forced landing to the water next to a boat. He exited the airplane unassisted, and was picked up by personnel on the boat. The passenger in the T6 airplane stated he did not observe the F4U airplane venting any fuel as they were flying. The airplane was recovered from the water 9 days after the accident. Examination of the airframe, flight control assembly, engine assembly and accessories revealed no evidence of a precrash mechanical failure or malfunction. Examination of the fuel tank revealed the fuel tank was not ruptured. The fuel cap was removed and there was an odor of fuel in the fuel tank. No fuel was present in the fuel tank. A small puddle of water (coffee cup size) was present near the rear of the fuel tank. The C-4 fuel strainer was opened and the fuel filter was removed. The strainer contained blue colored AVGAS and about 20 to 30cc of water. The main carburetor main fuel screen was removed and contained about 10cc of colored AVGAS. The main fuel line was removed from the discharge side of the engine driven fuel line. About 20cc of blue fuel and about 20cc of water was present. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N45NL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N45NL), registered now, S/N 124692C, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Chance Vought F4U - Registry model: [Chance Vought/Hill L Clarke F4U-5NL](https://openairdocs.org/model/chance-vought-hill-l-clarke-f4u-5nl) (registry code 2152602) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-2800 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-2800-series) (registry code 52026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 124692C - Airframe hours: 9 - Engines: P&W R-2800-99W-CB 2350 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Robert F. Collings - Registered owner: L Clark Hill Trustee - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 34J ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,010 total, 3 in this make and model, 755 as pilot in command, 54 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: JAX, 40 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 19970404004949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970404004949A), Apr 4, 1997: Vought F4U4, New Smyrna Beac, FL, Substantial damage. Lost power on photo flight along a beach. Ditched in ocean. Fuel tank empty had failed to stick tank. (-23) on 04/15/97 the aircraft and engine mechanical and… 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.