On January 4, 2005, a Stanley, Davey L PULSAR III (registration N6133U) was involved in an aviation accident near Ocean Isle Beac, NC. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot stated that the accident could have been avoided if he had visually inspected the fuel tanks prior to takeoff. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot added fuel to the left wing tank before takeoff but did not check fuel quantities. Engine failure occurred 15 minutes into flight at 800 feet MSL. The pilot performed a forced landing in a marsh. Examination revealed about two gallons of unusable fuel in each tank.
Introduction
A pilot experienced an engine failure during flight and executed a forced landing in a marsh. The event occurred after the pilot had added fuel to the aircraft but had not verified the fuel quantities in the tanks.
Preflight Actions
According to the pilot, he added about two to two and a half gallons of fuel to the left wing tank before takeoff. He did not check the amount of fuel in either tank at that time. He believed the right tank had around eight gallons remaining from his previous flight.
Inflight Events
Approximately 15 minutes after takeoff, the engine failed. The pilot reported his altitude as about 800 feet above mean sea level. He chose to perform a forced landing in a marsh rather than attempt to stretch the glide to the airport, which was about two miles away.
Post-Accident Examination
An examination of the fuel tanks after the accident found about two gallons of unusable fuel in each tank. The pilot stated that the accident could have been avoided if he had visually inspected the fuel tanks prior to takeoff.
Probable cause
The pilot stated that the accident could have been avoided if he had visually inspected the fuel tanks prior to takeoff.