# NTSB WPR18TA122: Wilhelm Puslar, N332RP, Salton City, CA, April 18, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Final report - Date: April 18, 2018, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Salton City, CA - Coordinates: 33.244167, -115.924163 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2442&lon=-115.9242&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 97070 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR18TA122 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97070/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97070 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18TA122 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to perform the loss of engine power emergency procedures, which likely would have restored engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Wilhelm Ray PULSAR III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=05607H5), [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: [Wilhelm Ray PULSAR III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=05607H5), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Wilhelm Ray PULSAR III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=05607H5), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190); cases with it: [Wilhelm Ray PULSAR III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md?model=05607H5), [All aircraft, 361 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Wilhelm Ray PULSAR III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=05607H5), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, after about 30 minutes of flight, the engine suddenly lost total power. He attempted to start the engine several times; however, it would not sustain power. The pilot performed a forced landing to desert terrain, during which the airplane impacted a small berm, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. Examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel selector was positioned on the left fuel tank, which contained no fuel. The fuel quantity gauge indicated that the left fuel tank was empty, and the right fuel tank was about 1/4 full. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane and stated that if he had "read the checklist," he might have been able to restart the engine. It is likely that the pilot's mismanagement of the fuel during the flight resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. ## Factual narrative On April 18, 2018, about 0830 Pacific daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Puslar III airplane, N332RP, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Salton City, California. The private pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he was in cruise flight around 6,700 ft for about 30 minutes when the engine suddenly lost power. He attempted to start the engine several times; however, it would not sustain power. Unable to glide to the nearest airport, the pilot performed a forced landing on open, desert terrain. The airplane impacted a small berm which substantially damaged the fuselage. revealed that the fuel selector was positioned on the left fuel tank; upon visual examination, there was no fuel present in the left fuel tank. The fuel quantity gauge indicated that the on-scene examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector left fuel tank was empty, and the right fuel tank was about 1/4 full. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane and stated that, if had he read the checklist, checked the fuel gauge, or checked the fuel selector valve and tuned on the electric pump, the accident may have been avoided. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N332RP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N332RP-2021-08-17), registration cancelled 2021-08-17, S/N P9706-0529, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: WILHELM PUSLAR (III) - Registry model: [Wilhelm Ray PULSAR III](https://openairdocs.org/model/wilhelm-ray-pulsar-iii) (registry code 05607H5) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: P9706-0529 - Year built: 1999 - Airframe hours: 765 - Engines: Jabiru 3300 120 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, June 1, 2017, 12 hours before - Departed: TRM, Palm Springs, CA - Destination: TRM, Palm Springs, CA - Airport: SAS, Salton Sea Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 80; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 881 total, 765 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: TRM, 25 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 20180418010549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180418010549A), Apr 18, 2018: Wilhelm Ray PULSAR III, Salton Sea, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that he was flying at 7800 ft AGL in the thermal (ktrm) area when the engine stopped. Pilot checked his fuel pressure and it showed 2.2 PSI. There… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 18, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97070. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 279 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=6354942&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20final_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation - FAA inspector regarding on scene examination (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 824 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=10087069&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20FAA%20attempt%202-Rel.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.