# NTSB WPR14CA334: Jabiru USA Sport J250 SP, N526FL, Bakersfield, CA, August 8, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 8, 2014, 12:10 local (19:10 UTC) - Place: Bakersfield, CA - Coordinates: 35.324722, -118.995834 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3247&lon=-118.9958&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 89838 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA334 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89838/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89838 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA334 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate approach which resulted in a long landing and runway overrun. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Jabiru USA Sport J250-SP, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=060001T), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Jabiru USA Sport J250-SP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=060001T), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel indication system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022840): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction; cases with it: [Jabiru USA Sport J250-SP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022840/cases.md?model=060001T), [All aircraft, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022840/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Jabiru USA Sport J250-SP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=060001T), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Flight instrument malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/334); cases with it: [Jabiru USA Sport J250-SP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/334/sequence.md?model=060001T), [All aircraft, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/334/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Emergency descent initiated](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/130); cases with it: [Jabiru USA Sport J250-SP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/130/sequence.md?model=060001T), [All aircraft, 42 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/130/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Jabiru USA Sport J250-SP, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=060001T), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while en route he noted that the fuel gauges were fluctuating and eventually indicated empty. He declared an emergency and diverted to a nearby airport. During the approach the airplane was too high and despite a slip and s-turns he landed long, overran the departure end of the runway, and struck a fence. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that other than the erratic fuel indication on the fuel gauges, no other mechanical malfunctions or failures existed with the airplane prior to the accident that would have precluded normal operation. He added that at the time of landing, the engine was still running and a postaccident examination of the airplane revealed an adequate amount of fuel in the fuel tanks. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that while en route he noted that the fuel gauges were fluctuating and eventually indicated empty. He declared an emergency and diverted to a nearby airport. During the approach the airplane was too high and despite a slip and s-turns he landed long, overran the departure end of the runway, and struck a fence. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that other than the erratic fuel indication on the fuel gauges, no other mechanical malfunctions or failures existed with the airplane prior to the accident that would have precluded normal operation. He added that at the time of landing, the engine was still running and a postaccident examination of the airplane revealed an adequate amount of fuel in the fuel tanks. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N526FL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N526FL), registered now, S/N 325, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: JABIRU USA SPORT AIRCRAFT LLC J250 SP (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Jabiru USA Sport J250-SP](https://openairdocs.org/model/jabiru-usa-sport-j250-sp) (registry code 060001T) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Jabiru 3300](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jabiru-3300) (registry code 34801, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 325 - Year built: 2006 - Airframe hours: 1036.4 - Engines: JABIRU 3300 120 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Newsom William A Jr - Registered owner: Newsom William A Jr - Airworthiness certificate: Unknown - Last inspection: Annual, August 6, 2014 - Departed: KGOO, GRASS VALLEY, CA - Destination: L45, BAKERSFIELD, CA - Airport: L45, Bakersfield Muni, runway 34, 4,000 × 75 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,546 total, 90 in this make and model, 1,500 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3.5 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 99 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg ## 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 20140808016429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140808016429A), Aug 8, 2014: Jabiru USA Sport Aircraft LLC J250-SP, Bakersfield, CA, Substantial damage. The pilot was traveling from Nevada county airport (goo) to whiteman airport (whp). The pilot departed goo with full fuel tanks. The plane was filled by Nevada… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 22, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89838. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 747 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416734&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416735&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Left Aft View of Damage (item 3, .PDF, 214 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416736&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Left%20Aft%20View%20of%20Damage-Master.PDF 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.