CEN23LA214

Factual narrative

On May 31, 2023, about 2030 eastern daylight time, a Progressive Aerodyne Inc Searey LSA, N316SR, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Detroit, Michigan. The pilot and certificated flight instructor were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was inbound for landing at the Coleman A Young Municipal Airport (DET), Detroit, Michigan, and the pilot was instructed to report a 2-mile left base for runway 15. The tower controller radioed for a progress report and received no response. The pilot later called the tower to report that the airplane’s engine lost power and he landed in a residential neighborhood between two garages. During the forced landing the airplane struck trees, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot/owner stated that the airplane had not flown since October 2020, and he had the mechanic that had constructed the airplane perform a condition inspection that was completed on May 26, 2023. The accident flight was an “instruction/currency” flight with a flight instructor. According to the pilot’s report, the flight originated about 1800. During the return portion of the flight, about 7 miles from the airport, they contacted the DET air traffic control and were advised to expect a visual approach for runway 15. Shortly afterward the airplane’s engine stopped producing power. Attempts to restart the engine were not successful. The restart attempts included activating the auxiliary fuel pump. He noted that he glanced at the fuel gauge and it indicated ¼ full. During the restart attempts the flight instructor assumed control of the airplane while the pilot attempted to restart the engine. Automatic dependent surveillance – broadcast (ADS-B) data recorded the airplane when it departed DET at 1730 and the final position was recorded at 2030, indicating that the airplane was aloft for 3 hours. Examination of the airplane after the accident revealed that only a trace amount of fuel was visible in the semi-transparent plastic fuel tank; the tank did not appear to be breached. After the airplane was removed from the accident site and leveled on a trailer used for recovery the fuel gauge read empty. A subsequent engine run was performed where fuel was added to the tank and the engine started. The engine was operated from idle to full throttle and no anomalies were detected during the engine run. The airplane was returning to the departure airport after a local training flight when the engine lost all power. Restart attempts were not successful. The pilot reported that he glanced at the fuel gauge and it indicated ¼ full. During the forced landing the airplane contacted trees, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. Examination of the airplane after the accident revealed that only a trace amount of fuel was visible in the semi-transparent plastic fuel tank; the tank did not appear to be breached. After the airplane was removed from the accident site and leveled on a trailer used for recovery, the fuel gauge read empty. A subsequent engine run was performed where fuel was added to the tank and the engine started. The engine was operated from idle to full throttle and no anomalies were detected during the engine run. Based on the pilot’s report, the flight duration was about 2.5 hours; however, recorded flight track data indicated the flight actually lasted 3 hours. Available information indicates the flight crew failed to assure there was an adequate fuel supply for the flight, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a complete loss of engine power. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• — Personnel issues-Task performance-Planning/preparation-Fuel planning-Flight crew
• — Aircraft-Fluids/misc hardware-Fluids-Fuel-Fluid level