Event SEA96LA154

Factual narrative

On July 12, 1996, at 2015 mountain daylight time, an amphibian Colonial C-1, N248B, leased to and operated by the pilot, experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot initiated a forced landing to an open field near Halls Crossing, Utah, where during the forced landing, the airplane collided with the terrain and came to rest inverted. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The private pilot received minor injuries, and the passenger was not injured. The flight originated from Taylor, Arizona, with a fuel stop at Gallup, New Mexico. The flight departed from Gallup approximately two hours prior to the accident. The pilot reported that at Gallup, approximately 11 gallons of fuel was added to bring the total fuel capacity to 22 gallons. The pilot stated that the fuel totalizer indicated 22 gallons, however, the cockpit panel fuel gauge read a conflicting amount. The pilot stated that previous to this flight, there had been a conflict between the gauges. At this time, the pilot used a dip stick to verify the fuel quantity. The pilot stated that the fuel totalizer indicated the correct quantity. On the day of the accident, the pilot reported that he did not have the dip stick with him and he did not visually check the fuel level. The pilot stated that he felt that the fuel totalizer was correct. The pilot stated that after passing over the north end of Lake Powell at 1,000 feet above ground level and with the airport in sight, the engine suddenly quit. The pilot was unable to restart the engine and a forced landing was made to an open area. The airplane belly landed and then bounced approximately 15 feet in the air. The airplane rolled to the left and touched down again inverted. The pilot stated during a telephone interview that there was no fuel spillage or fuel smell at the accident site. The pilot's written statement reports "fuel starvation." The pilot reported that about 1,000 feet above ground level and with the airport in sight, the engine suddenly quit. He was unable to restart the engine, and a forced landing was made in an open area. The airplane belly landed, bounced, and became airborne, then it rolled to the left and touched down again inverted. The pilot stated that after the accident, there was no smell of fuel or fuel spillage. He stated that 11 gallons of fuel had been added at the last refueling to bring the total fuel capacity to 22 gallons for this leg of the flight. There had been a conflicting indication of quantity between the fuel totalizer and the cockpit fuel gauge. The pilot stated that he felt that the totalizer was correct; however, there were indications that he did not verify this either visually or with a dip stick. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12