COLUMBIA, SC, USA
N52507
Boeing Stearman B75N1
The pilot stated he started a descent in preparation for landing when the engine quit without any power reduction. He turned towards his forced landing area (highway) and made a distress call. The engine started by itself and quit about 15 to 20 seconds later. The airplane collided with power lines on final approach and came to a complete stop on the road. Examination of the airplane revealed the fuel tank was not ruptured. No fuel was present in the fuel tank.
On April 6, 1997, at about 1107 eastern daylight time, a Boeing B75N1, N52507, registered to Training Services Inc., operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, experienced a total loss of engine power on descent for landing at Columbia, South Carolina. The pilot made a forced landing to a road about 1 1/2 miles northeast of the airport, colliding with power lines. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The flight originated from Roxboro, North Carolina, about 2 hours 37 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated he started a descent in preparation for landing when the engine quit without any power reduction. He made a left turn looking for a forced landing area, and made a distress call. The engine started by itself and quit again about 15 to 20 seconds after it started. He elected to make a forced landing to a highway. The airplane collided with power lines on final and came to a complete stop on the road. The pilot stated in an interview with an FAA Airworthiness inspector after the accident, that he was a practical man and he thought he exhausted his fuel supply. Examination of the airplane revealed the fuel tank was not ruptured. No fuel was present in the fuel tank. A small of fuel (about two ounces) was drained from the left and right fuel drains. The fuel bowl contained about one ounce of fuel and the fuel strainer was clean. There was no evidence of leakage or defects with the fuel system.
The pilot's inadequate planning/decision and failure to assure an adequate supply of fuel was on board the airplane.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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