What happened
On January 30, 2025, an Aviat Inc Pitts S-2B, registration N8ZT, was involved in an accident near Fellsmere, Florida, resulting in one serious injury. The aircraft was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 for personal use.
According to preliminary ADS-B data, the flight departed Vero Beach Regional Airport (VRB) at approximately 10:00. The aircraft initially flew eastbound, climbing to 3,000 feet before turning north along the shoreline. During the flight, the aircraft performed several maneuvers, including a 180-degree left turn over the beach, a rapid climb to 1,200 feet, and four 360-degree right turns at 2,400 feet. During the final minute of flight, the aircraft descended while performing sharp turns before the flight track ended near the accident site.
A witness observed the aircraft flying west to east when the engine began to sputter and the aircraft climbed and rocked its wings. The witness further reported that the engine sputtered and stopped, causing the aircraft to nose down and impact the ground. There was no fire reported at the scene.
The investigation
An examination of the aircraft's engine and fuel system was conducted by an NTSB investigator. The engine, a Lycoming AEIO-540-D4A5, was found to have functional magnetos, and compression was confirmed on all cylinders. The electric and mechanical fuel pumps were functional, though they contained only trace amounts of fuel. The fuel manifold was found to be empty.
A cursory examination at the scene showed no fuel, no odor of fuel, and no evidence of fuel spillage. The fuel boost pump switch was in the "on" position.
Records from the fixed base operator (FBO) indicated that the pilot had taxied the aircraft to a self-service pump on the day of the accident but did not make a fuel purchase. The pilot's most recent fuel purchase had occurred on January 4, 2025. Based on the aircraft's flight manual, the engine's fuel consumption rate was estimated between 18.7 and 21 gallons per hour. The aircraft was equipped with a 23-gallon usable main tank and a 5-gallon usable auxiliary tank.