The Airplane’s Right Fuel Tank Contained ¼ Of A Gallon Of Fuel And Was Not Breached

Location: Sanford, Florida Accident Number: ERA24LA124
Date & Time: February 27, 2024, 18:22 Local Registration: N485DA
Aircraft: Cirrus Design Corp SR20 Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Fuel starvation Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor, 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional 

Analysis: The airplane was returning from a local training flight when the accident occurred. The pilot receiving instruction was flying a practice instrument approach and after removing the view limiting device he noticed that the airplane’s altitude was low on the approach path. The flight instructor ultimately took control of the airplane and added engine power. The airplane continued to sink, and the flight instructor began to manipulate the throttle, but sensed that the
airplane was no longer producing engine power. He stated that he verified the fuel selector placement, though he could not remember which position the fuel selector was in, and that the mixture lever was in the full rich position. Shortly after, the airplane impacted an unoccupied airplane short of the runway and came to rest on a grassy area adjacent to the airport ramp.

A postaccident examination of the airplane’s engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Additionally, the airplane’s right fuel tank contained ¼ of a gallon of fuel and was not breached. The fuel selector was found in the right-tank position. A review of data recovered from the airplane’s avionics showed a decrease in fuel flow and subsequent loss of engine power about 1 minute before the airplane impacted the terrain. Based on this information, it is most likely that the fuel supply in the airplane’s right wing was exhausted during the landing approach, which resulted in the loss of engine power as the flight instructor attempted to add power to correct the airplane’s descent path.

Probable Cause and Findings: The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be -- A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and the flight crew’s mismanagement of the available fuel. 

FMI: www.ntsb.gov