What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1992-10-03 involved a Stinson 108-3, registration N560C, operated by Hartman, Phillip W., at Mountain, WI.

Engine Failure After Restoration Flight and Fuel Mismanagement (N560C)

On October 3, 1992, a Stinson 108-3 (registration N560C) operated by Hartman, Phillip W. was involved in an aviation accident near Mountain, WI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL THE AIRPLANE. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

An airplane undergoing restoration was test run, taxied, and flown before delivery. The next day, the pilot took off without visually checking fuel quantity; the engine quit after 15 minutes, with less than a quart of fuel remaining.

Background

An airplane undergoing restoration was partly filled with fuel. It was test run, taxied, and flown during the restoration process.

Events

The owner took delivery of the airplane at the restoration location and flew home without refueling. The next day, the pilot sampled fuel at the drains prior to departure and then took off for a local flight. The pilot did not visually check the quantity of fuel in the tanks.

Engine Failure

Approximately 15 minutes after takeoff, the engine quit. Following the event, less than a quart of fuel was drained from the airplane.

Investigation

The investigation revealed that the airplane had not been refueled after the previous flight, and the fuel quantity was insufficient for the flight. The pilot relied only on sampling at the drains rather than visually inspecting the tanks.

1992-10-03: Stinson 108-3 (N560C) — Hartman, Phillip W. — Mountain, WI