Pipistrel ALPHA TRAINER N143AW accident near Salinas, California

Probable cause

The flight instructor’s inadequate preflight inspection which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

NTSB analysis

According to the flight instructor and student pilot, they performed a preflight inspection which included viewing the visual fuel quantity indicators inside the cabin, which they observed the level to be full. The flight instructor reported that he did not check the fuel quantity by removing the fuel caps. After flying for about 39 minutes in the airport traffic pattern performing several takeoffs and landings, during an initial climb, the engine had a total loss of power about 250 ft above ground level. The flight instructor assumed the flight controls and chose an empty street near the airport to initiate a forced landing. Subsequently, the airplane landed hard, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage.

Post accident examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel tanks contained no usable fuel, and the fuel system was intact with no evidence of leaks. The fuel sight gauges were a purple, transparent color, which would have likely made it difficult to see if fuel was present in the system.

The pilot’s operating handbook indicated that fuel quantity should be checked both in the cabin and through the fuel cap on each wing during a preflight inspection.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR26LA173 for the full record.