Probable cause
The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that prior to the cross-country flight, which would require approximately six gallons of fuel to complete, he had seven gallons of fuel in the main fuel tank and five gallons in the auxiliary tank. The cross-country flight was uneventful; about 0.5 mile away from the airport, on the base leg, the airplane’s engine stopped developing power. The pilot reported he was unable to open the auxiliary tank valve in a timely manner before the airplane impacted terrain approximately 100 yards east of the runway. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR12CA358 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 14, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Ramona, California
- Nearest airport
- Ramona Airport (RNM)
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built R 80 TIGER MOTH
- N-number
- N615SX
- 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.