Amateur-built JUST AIRCRAFT HIGHLA N169SM accident near Edenton, North Carolina

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate fuel planning, which led to a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that he departed with 4 gallons of fuel onboard and the purpose of the accident flight was to fly to an airport that sold fuel. During approach to the destination airport, the pilot thought that the control tower had not opened yet, but it had. He was having difficulty hearing the controller over the radio and was not prepared to enter controlled airspace, so he diverted to another airport. While en route to the diversion airport, the engine lost all power and the pilot ditched the airplane in a sound.

Postaccident examination of the wreckage following initial recovery from the sound and again at a recovery facility did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane had flown for about 40 minutes with 4 gallons of fuel. Based on engine fuel consumption data, the engine likely exhausted its fuel supply during the diversion to an alternate airport.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA23LA338 for the full record.