Fuel Exhaustion & Starvation · NTSB CEN17LA368
Eris E. Ervin Quicksilver — Cleburne, TX
| Date | September 25, 2017 |
| Location | Cleburne, TX |
| Aircraft | Eris E. Ervin Quicksilver |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Day · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Maneuvering-low-alt flying Off-field or emergency landing |
| Pilot age | 40 |
| Pilot total time | 25 hrs · Student / very low time |
| Time in type | 25 hrs |
| Fatalities | 1 |
Probable cause
NTSB findings
- Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action selection-Pilot - C
- Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Fuel system-Fuel distribution-Failure - C
- Aircraft-Aircraft handling/service-Maintenance/inspections-(general)-Incorrect service/maintenance - F
- Personnel issues-Experience/knowledge-Experience/qualifications-Qualification/certification-Pilot
What happened
The noncertificated pilot was departing in the experimental light sport airplane when the engine lost power. The pilot attempted to return to the runway, but the airplane impacted trees and a fence west of the departure end of the runway. Examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel line between the fuel tank and engine was brittle and cracked and had broken. Both carburetor bowls were dry. Additionally, putty was found at the fuel tank outlet connector, consistent with a repair to prevent or fix a fuel leak, and the engine air filter was dirty. Although no maintenance records were located, the condition of the engine and its components suggested that it was not being properly maintained. It is likely that the engine experienced a total loss of power due to fuel starvation as a result of the broken fuel line; the loss of engine power prevented the pilot from reaching a suitable landing area. Toxicological testing found potentially impairing drugs in the pilot; however, it is unlikely that the negative effects of the drugs directly contributed to the outcome of this accident.