Stearman B75 N62438 accident near Zephryhills, Florida

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent total loss of engine power and impact with a pole during a forced landing.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that, before departure, the airplane had 17 gallons of fuel for the flight to another airport where he planned to stop to refuel. He added that, after 45 minutes of flight and while the airplane was descending through 1,800 ft above ground level, the engine lost power. While on final approach and about 3 miles from the airport, he realized that the airplane would not reach the runway, so he chose to conduct an emergency landing on a road. Just before touchdown, the right wing impacted a traffic light pole and then the airplane impacted the ground.

During postaccident examination of the airplane, no fuel was found in the fuel system. Postaccident examination of the engine (and fuel system) revealed the presence of some debris in the carburetor fuel screen and the fuel sump. Otherwise, no evidence of any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Therefore, it is likely that the pilot’s preflight fuel planning was inadequate because he did not ensure that sufficient fuel was onboard for the flight, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA18LA086 for the full record.