Maule M-5-235C N6201M accident near Eastsound, Washington

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper in-flight fuel management, which led to fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power.

NTSB analysis

On final approach, the engine sputtered, lost fuel pressure, then lost all power. With the total loss of power, the pilot initiated a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the airplane struck a fence and subsequently nosed over.

The pilot reported that there were about 15 gallons of fuel on board before he departed on the first of two sightseeing flights and that the left tank had substantially more fuel than the right tank. When the airplane wreckage was recovered, about 10 gallons of fuel reportedly were drained. According to the airplane manufacturer, about 3 gallons of this fuel would have been unusable, and it is likely one of the fuel tanks was nearly empty. However, the investigation was unable to determine the actual fuel quantity in the airplane’s tanks because the pilot recovered and moved the airplane wreckage without oversight by federal officials.

The circumstances of the accident are consistent with the pilot likely not managing the fuel on board properly, resulting in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR23LA285 for the full record.