Dennis M Durgin JUNIOR ACE N9778N

Summary

On 21 July 2007 at about 21:00 local time, a Dennis M Durgin JUNIOR ACE registered N9778N was involved in an accident near Dover-Foxcroft, Maine, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 July 2007 at 21:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Dover-Foxcroft, Maine, United States

Coordinates

44.6931, -69.3812

Aircraft

Dennis M Durgin JUNIOR ACE

Registration

N9778N

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Dover-Foxcroft → Dover-Foxcroft

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA07LA124

1 person had minor injuries.

The failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed following total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, resulting in a stall/mush, uncontrolled descent, and in-flight collision with trees.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The flight departed with 6 gallons of fuel on board, flew locally, then returned to the departure airport where the pilot performed 2 full-stop taxi back landings. The flight departed from runway 27, remained in the traffic pattern, and while on the downwind leg, the pilot reduced power to 1,700-1,800 rpm. The pilot extended the downwind leg, turned base and final, then the engine experienced a loss of power due to fuel starvation. The pilot then inadvertently stalled the airplane which collided with trees during the uncontrolled descent. Postaccident examination of the engine and flight controls by an FAA inspector revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction; a minimum quantity of fuel was noted but the amount was not quantified.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.