# NTSB WPR19LA101: Dennis l Zumbalt SKY Bolt, N254PM, Deming, NM, March 23, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 23, 2019, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Deming, NM - Coordinates: 32.260242, -107.749702 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2602&lon=-107.7497&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Lycoming Engines, Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 99179 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR19LA101 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99179/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99179 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA101 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to properly position the fuel selector before takeoff, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Zumwalt Dennis L ZUMWALTS SKY BOLT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=05615EK), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Zumwalt Dennis L ZUMWALTS SKY BOLT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=05615EK), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Zumwalt Dennis L ZUMWALTS SKY BOLT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=05615EK), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Zumwalt Dennis L ZUMWALTS SKY BOLT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=05615EK), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Zumwalt Dennis L ZUMWALTS SKY BOLT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=05615EK), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Zumwalt Dennis L ZUMWALTS SKY BOLT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05615EK), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis Before takeoff, the pilot fueled the airplane’s main header fuel tank with 25 gallons of automotive fuel. Shortly after takeoff, about 400 ft above ground level, the engine lost total power. The pilot performed a forced landing to a dirt field, during which the airplane landed hard and impacted a sand dune, resulting in substantial damage. Examination of the fuel system revealed that the fuel selector was selected to the AUX/wing fuel tank position. The pilot stated that he never fueled the AUX/wing tank, and that he only filled and operated off the main header tank. The pilot reported, and examination confirmed, that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The accident is consistent with a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot’s failure to correctly position the fuel selector prior to departure. ## Factual narrative On March 23, 2019, about 1130 mountain daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Sky Bolt airplane, N254PM, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Deming, New Mexico. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was being operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he was departing on a local flight when the engine lost total power near the end of the runway at an altitude of about 400 ft above ground level. The pilot turned left and lowered the nose to maintain airspeed. Unable to make it back to the runway, the pilot made a sharp right turn and the airplane touched down in an open dirt area and traveled about 50 ft before it collided with a sand dune, then came to a complete stop upright. As a result of the landing sequence, the airplane sustained structural damage to the upper wing spar, the right lower wing panel, and the forward section of the fuselage. The pilot reported that he took off with 25 gallons of automotive fuel onboard, which he added to the main header tank before takeoff. The pilot further reported no mechanical issues with the airplane or engine before departure. The fuel selector was found in the AUX/wing tank position following the accident. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. During a follow-up telephone interview, the pilot stated that he never fueled the AUX/wing tank, and that he only filled and operated off the main header tank. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N254PM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N254PM-2021-06-05), registration cancelled 2021-06-05, S/N 1ZB, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DENNIS l ZUMBALT SKY BOLT - Registry model: [Zumwalt Dennis L ZUMWALTS SKY BOLT](https://openairdocs.org/model/zumwalt-dennis-l-zumwalts-sky-bolt) (registry code 05615EK) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1ZB - Year built: 2003 - Engines: Lycoming O-540 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Anthony M Moretti - Registered owner: Anthony M Moretti - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: na, Deming, NM - Destination: na, Deming, NM - Airport: Private airstrip, runway 28, 4,200 × 75 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 24, 2018; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,600 total, 50 in this make and model, 1,423 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: KDMN, 15 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 20190323001889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190323001889A), Mar 23, 2019: Zumwalt Dennis L ZUMWALTS SKY BOLT, Deming, NM, Substantial damage. On March 23, 2019, at 1130 MDT, a Zumwalts Sky Bolt, N254PM, registered to [privacy data omitted] crashed shortly after take-off at Deming, new Mexico, while… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 3, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99179. 3.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12278202&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20accident%20report%20form_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 20 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12279069&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Anthony%20M%20Moretti-Rel.pdf - Summary of aircraft examination (item 3, PDF, 7 pages, 512 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12311959&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Summary%20of%20Aircraft%20Examination-Rel.pdf - Record of examination - fuel selector (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 21 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12278222&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20examination%20(fuel%20system-selector%20position)-Rel.pdf - Evidence control form (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 710 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12885281&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Evidence%20Control%20Form_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Statement of party representatives to NTSB investigation (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 258 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12885570&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Party%20Form%20101_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 7, PDF, 1 page, 137 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12277754&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Release%20of%20Wreckage%20form_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array of airplane at accident site (item 8, PDF, 4 pages, 175 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12874670&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20array%20of%20airplane%20at%20accident%20site-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.