Event GAA19CA569

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, while on approach to land, the engine sputtered and had a complete loss of power. He retracted the flaps to extend the glide distance but was unable to make the runway. He then made an off-airport landing, on a service road between two buildings. Upon landing the airplane veered left and impacted a tree. The pilot further reported that, while conducting the preflight inspection, the fuel was at the bottom of the 1/2 mark on the diamond wood dipstick and the gauge also reflected the fuel level. During the accident flight, he again checked the fuel gauge and noticed it was showing right above 1/4 tank. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, left wing and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administrator inspector who examined the airplane reported that, in total only about 16 ounces of fuel was drained from the airplane fuel system and no fuel leaks were identified. The pilot reported that, while conducting the preflight inspection for the first flight of the day, the fuel was at the bottom of the 1/2 mark on the wood dipstick, and the gauge also reflected the same fuel level. He added that, before taking off for the accident flight, which was the fourth flight that day, he checked the fuel gauge, and it was showing right above 1/4 tank. The pilot reported that, while on approach to land, the engine sputtered and lost all power. He retracted the flaps to extend the glide distance, but the airplane was unable to reach the runway. He then conducted an off-airport landing on a service road. Upon landing, the airplane veered left and impacted a tree. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, left wing, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administrator inspector who examined the airplane reported that only about 16 ounces of fuel were drained from the fuel system, and no fuel leaks were found. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

• C Aircraft-Fluids/misc hardware-Fluids-Fuel-Fluid level - C
• C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Tree(s)-Effect on operation - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Planning/preparation-Fuel planning-Pilot - C
• — Aircraft-Fluids/misc hardware-Fluids-Fuel-Inadequate inspection