Probable cause
The pilot’s inadequate fuel monitoring, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
NTSB analysis
The pilot said that he had been flying for 2 hours, practicing maneuvers in preparation for an upcoming biennial flight review, when the engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion. Examination of the airplane revealed about 300 feet of power line was wrapped around and trailing behind the right main landing gear. The pilot did not recall impacting anything during the flight. No preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures were found that would have precluded normal operation. The trailing power line could have affected the airplane’s performance, increasing both fuel consumption and drag; however, the timing of the wire strike and actual effect could not be determined.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN12LA259 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 21, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Stuttgart, Arkansas
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built A
- N-number
- N78RB
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.