Quad City Ultralight CHALLENGER II N2785A

Summary

On 13 July 2008 at about 23:58 local time, a Quad City Ultralight CHALLENGER II registered N2785A was involved in an accident near Windslow Twp, New Jersey, United States. 2 people were 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

13 July 2008 at 23:58

Classification

Accident

Location

Windslow Twp, New Jersey, United States

Nearest airport

Camden County Airport (19N)

Coordinates

40.2981, -74.5218

Aircraft

Quad City Ultralight CHALLENGER II

Registration

N2785A

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Lumberton → Lumberton

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

MIA08CA140

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's inaccurate fuel consumption calculations which led to fuel exhaustion and subsequent loss of engine power.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot incorrectly calculated the fuel consumption for the planned flight to be 3.3 gallons per hour (gph), instead of 5.4 gph as referenced in the operator's manual. After takeoff with a full 10-gallon fuel tank, the pilot flew for approximately 1 hour then turned to return. At that time the fuel gauge showed "1/2" tank. During the return leg, the pilot noticed the fuel quantity gauge was indicating approximately "1/4" tank. He diverted towards a nearby airport, but the engine experienced a total loss of engine power. While descending for the forced landing, the airplane collided with a tree. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the fuel tank remained intact and was absent of fuel.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.