DUNDEE, TX, USA
N350TD
Dempsey SKYBOLT TD8
During a cross-country flight, about 1 hour 20 minutes after takeoff, the airplane's engine lost power. The pilot reported that 'an attempt to flare for landing resulted in loss of airspeed rather quickly and the aircraft dropped from a near stall condition hitting the ground flat and hard.' Examination of the fuel system revealed no usable fuel in the fuel tank. Examination of the accident site revealed no evidence of fuel spillage. The pilot rated passenger had just purchased the homebuilt Skybolt TD8 experimental airplane, and it was being flown to Ohio. The airplane's fuel tank was topped off prior to departure. The planned time en route was 1 hour 30 minutes. The builder of the airplane reported that the capacity of the airplane's fuel tank was 29 gallons; however, the airplane's fuel tank capacity was measured at 22 gallons. According to the builder, the average fuel consumption for this airplane is 20 gallons per hour. The commercial pilot reported to the NTSB that this accident could have been prevented by a 'more thorough examination and verification of all phases of aircraft. Actual fuel capacity - consumption - etc. Don't make assumptions of the other persons work.'
On September 11, 1998, at 1855 central daylight time, a Dempsey Skybolt TD8 experimental homebuilt airplane, N350TD, owned by the passenger, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Dundee, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal cross-country flight. The commercial rated pilot and his pilot rated passenger sustained serious injuries. The flight departed from Snyder, Texas, about 1 hour 20 minutes before the accident with a destination of the Kickapoo Downtown Airport, Wichita Falls, Texas. The pilot's son (passenger) had just purchased the airplane in Odessa, Texas, and they were flying it home to Ohio. The commercial pilot reported to the FAA inspector that they departed Odessa and had stopped for fuel at the Winston Field Airport, at Snyder, Texas. After the airplane's fuel tank was topped off with 11.8 gallons of 100 octane low lead aviation fuel, they departed for Wichita Falls. The commercial pilot further reported that while in cruise flight at 1,500 feet msl, the engine lost power, and he initiated a forced landing to a field. He "pushed everything forward" and turned on the fuel boost pump; however, the engine did not restart. The pilot also reported that "an attempt to flare for landing resulted in loss of airspeed rather quickly and the aircraft dropped from a near stall condition hitting the ground flat and hard." The commercial pilot stated in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, Recommendation (How Could This Accident Have Been Prevented) section that a "more thorough examination and verification of all phases of aircraft. Actual fuel capacity - consumption - etc. Don't make assumptions of the other persons work." During a telephone interview, the private pilot rated passenger reported to the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC) that they had a planned time en route of 1 hour 30 minutes at a power setting of 22 inches of manifold pressure and 2,200-2,300 rpm. The passenger further reported that after 1 hour 20 minutes the engine lost power. Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed that both main landing gear were collapsed, the fuselage sustained structural damage, and both lower wing spars were damaged. Examination of the fuel system revealed no usable fuel in the fuel tank. Examination of the accident site revealed no evidence of fuel spillage. The builder of the airplane reported to the FAA inspector and the NTSB IIC that the capacity of the airplane's fuel tank was 29 gallons. According to the builder, the average fuel consumption for this airplane is 20 gallons per hour. At Air Salvage of Dallas, Lancaster, Texas, the airplane's fuel tank capacity was measured at 22 gallons.
Hard landing due to the pilot's improper landing flare. Factor were the fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's failure to refuel, and his lack of familiarity with the airplane.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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