# NTSB WPR15LA240: Stinson SR 9B, N17154, Chula Vista, CA, August 14, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 14, 2015, 07:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Chula Vista, CA - Coordinates: 32.613334, -116.959167 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6133&lon=-116.9592&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 6, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 91783 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR15LA240 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91783/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91783 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA240 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot’s failure to verify the fuel quantity before the flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson SR-9B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=8631504), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson SR-9B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=8631504), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson SR-9B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=8631504), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Stinson SR-9B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=8631504), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Stinson SR-9B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=8631504), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot stated that, after about 30 minutes airborne on the local flight, the engine experienced a partial loss of power and the airplane began to lose altitude. The pilot switched the fuel selector to the other fuel tank and made a forced landing onto a highway. After touching down on the highway, the engine regained power and the pilot departed again; but shortly thereafter, the engine experienced a total loss of power. During the subsequent off-airport landing in a field, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The pilot initially reported that he departed with about 20 gallons of fuel on board but was unsure of the exact quantity. He later stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane, and that the loss of power was likely the result of fuel starvation or exhaustion. During postaccident examination, there was no odor of fuel present around the wreckage and no evidence of fuel in the wing tanks or the fuel lines. ## Factual narrative On August 14, 2015, about 0700 Pacific daylight time, a Stinson SR-9B, N17154, experienced a total loss of engine power and landed in a dirt field in Chula Vista, California. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injury; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal local flight departed from Brown Field Municipal Airport, San Diego, California, about 0620. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed.The pilot stated that he departed for a short practice flight with about 20 gallons of fuel on board, but was not sure of the precise quantity. After about 30 minutes airborne, as he began his return flight back to the airport, the engine power reduced and the airplane began to lose altitude. He switched the fuel selector to the other fuel tank and made a forced landing onto the 125 highway. After touching down on the highway, the engine regained power and became airborne before he had time to react. He attempted to return back to Brown Field but shortly thereafter, the airplane experienced a total loss of power. He again prepared for an off-airport landing and during the landing roll in a dirt field adjacent to Eastlake Parkway and Hunt Parkway, the airplane flipped over and came to rest inverted. The pilot, who had recently purchased the airplane, noted that the last annual inspection occurred about one month prior to the accident and had flown one hour since that maintenance. The pilot later stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures and the loss of power was likely the result of a fuel starvation or exhaustion. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors responded to the accident site. They stated that there was no smell of fuel present upon arrival. They further stated that removal of the wings and corresponding fuel lines revealed no evidence of fuel present in the tanks at the time of the accident; the fuel tanks did not appear breached. They opined that the loss of engine power was a result of fuel exhaustion. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N17154](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N17154-2015-12-05), registration cancelled 2015-12-05, S/N 5115, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: STINSON SR 9B - Registry model: [Stinson SR-9B](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-sr-9b) (registry code 8631504) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming R680-6B6-D6](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-r680-6b6-d6) (registry code 41544, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5115 - Year built: 1937 - Engines: Lycoming R680-13 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: SDM, San Diego, CA - Destination: SDM, San Diego, CA - Airport: SDM, Brown Field Muni - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 16, 2015; seat: left; flight hours: 922 total, 922 as pilot in command, 5.5 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: KSDM, 3 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 20150814023129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150814023129A), Aug 14, 2015: Stinson SR-9B, Chula Vista, CA, Destroyed. Aircraft engine lost power and pilot attempted a emergency landing on hwy. once on the highway the aircraft engine regained power and pilot took off again.… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 29, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91783. 957 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 779 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447898&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversations (item 2, .PDF, 88 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447899&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversations-Master.PDF - Picture 1 - Wreckage (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 90 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447900&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Picture%201%20-%20Wreckage-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.