Stinson JR. SR N81Y accident near Ripon, Wisconsin

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

NTSB analysis

The pilot was in-bound to the destination airport when the engine lost total power. The pilot conducted a forced landing to a muddy field where the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the empennage. One fuel tank was empty and there was fuel staining on the soil. The pilot reported that the airplane should have had about 15 to 20 gallons of fuel remaining at the time of the accident. In a subsequent conversation, the pilot reported that the airplane had an “odd fuel system” and if the fuel level was low, the engine could experience fuel starvation due to decreased fuel pressure, to which he attributed the loss of engine power on the accident flight.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN21LA343 for the full record.