Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation which resulted in fuel exhaustion and subsequent loss of engine power.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated that during his preflight/planning preparation he misread the fuel gage. He reported that he departed with almost empty tanks and ran out of fuel minutes later. He also stated that there was no mechanical malfunction nor weather problems. The engine lost power and the pilot made a forced landing in a backyard colliding with a shed.
Source record
Factual narrative
On Friday, July 16, 1993, about 1534 eastern daylight time, N3186, a Pitts Special, owned and operated by Steve Curelop of Washington, DC, crashed in a backyard in Independent Hill, Virginia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The certificated private pilot was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The flight was operated under 14 CFR 91 and originated in Fort Washington, Maryland. The pilot reported that during the preflight inspection he misread the fuel gage. He stated that he departed, "with almost empty tank and ran out of fuel minutes later. There was no mechanical malfunction, no weather problem. Accident was pilot error during preflight." The airplane lost engine power and a forced landing was made in a backyard and the airplane collided with a shed. -