Smith STEEN SKYBOLT N31CS

Summary

On 18 July 2015 at about 17:30 local time, a Smith STEEN SKYBOLT registered N31CS, operated by Packard Glenn S, was involved in an accident near Junction City, Kentucky, 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

18 July 2015 at 17:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Junction City, Kentucky, United States

Nearest airport

Stuart Powell Field (DVK)

Coordinates

37.5775, -84.7694

Aircraft

Smith STEEN SKYBOLT

Registration

N31CS

Category

Airplane

Year built

1979

Engines

1

Operator

Packard Glenn S

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Crawfordsville → Danville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA15CA272

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's inaccurate fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the accident flight was his first flight in the experimental airplane. He planned a fuel stop during his long cross-country flight based on an estimated 12 gallons per hour fuel consumption rate. The pilot further stated that his estimated fuel consumption rate did not account for the fact that the engine had been upgraded from carbureted to fuel injected. During the first leg of the cross-country flight, the airplane was on approach to the planned fuel-stop airport; however, the pilot performed a go-around as the airplane ballooned during flare. During the go-around, about 500 feet above ground level, the engine lost all power and the pilot performed a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the airplane struck an unoccupied house and came to rest on its right side. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane's single fuel tank was not compromised and was absent of fuel. The examination did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any. The inspector also noted the right wing and fuselage were substantially damaged.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.