Accident Details
A pilot flying from Presidents Isle, Tennessee, departed with approximately 1/4 tank of fuel, equating to 3.5 gallons. The planned route included a fuel stop at Wynne, Arkansas. However, prior to reaching Wynne, heavy rain was encountered, forcing the pilot to land at a private airport near Parkin, Arkansas. After landing, the pilot kept the engine running for about 15 minutes while waiting for the rain to subside, then shut it down. Approximately one hour later, the pilot took off from the private airstrip. About one-eighth of a mile from the strip, the aircraft stalled and crashed.
Investigation Findings
An investigation revealed that only about 1 pint of fuel remained in the fuel tank at the crash site. No evidence of fuel spillage or leaks was found at the accident site. The fuel pickup point was located on the forward one-third portion of the tank. Investigators noted that, given only 1 pint of fuel remaining, the fuel level would have been at the pickup point during a climb, likely leading to fuel starvation and the subsequent stall.