# NTSB SEA98LA169: Wiles S1-C, N43JW, Yelm, WA, July 22, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 22, 1998, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Yelm, WA - Coordinates: 46.870384, -122.570991 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8704&lon=-122.5710&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 11, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43897 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA98LA169 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43897/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA169 ## Probable cause Fuel exhaustion due to overflying an intermediate fuel stop. Factors include high grass in the forced landing area. ## 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) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Forced landing, emergency landing - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot stated to FAA inspectors that he ran out of fuel while on a cross-country flight and he initiated a forced landing into a field about a mile from his final destination. He noted that he had approximately 12 gallons of fuel on board when he departed, and that he had overflown a planned intermediate stop. When he realized he would have to make an off-airport landing, he selected a hay field about a mile north of the airport, touched down and got into some tall grass. The airplane nosed over onto its back, sustaining substantial damage. ## Factual narrative On July 22, 1998, approximately 1230 Pacific daylight time, an amateur-built Wiles Pitts S1-C, N43JW, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Yelm, Washington, after fuel exhaustion. The private pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. There was no fire. The pilot stated to FAA inspectors that he ran out of fuel while on a flight from Arlington, Washington, and he initiated a forced landing into a field about a mile from Western Airpark, which was his final destination. He noted that he had approximately 12 gallons of fuel on board when he departed Arlington, and that he had overflown Auburn, Washington, where he had originally intended to land. When he realized he would have to make an off-airport landing, he selected a hay field about a mile north of the airport, touched down and got into some tall grass. The airplane nosed over onto its back. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N43JW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N43JW-2013-03-11), registration cancelled 2013-03-11, S/N JW-1, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: WILES S1-C - Registry model: [Pitts Special S-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/pitts-special-s-1) (registry code 72202LT) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: JW-1 - Airframe hours: 634 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: David R. Huntley - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1997, 14 hours before - Departed: ARLINGTON, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,400 total, 140 in this make and model, 1,300 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F ## 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 19980722025989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980722025989A), Jul 22, 1998: Amtr S1C, Yelm, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) While enroute to the western airpark, aircraft suffered fuel exhaustion, and was landed in a field one mile from the airport. After landing, the aircraft… 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.