1 fatal · GIBBS LANCAIR 320 · 2015-01-09 · Van Nuys, CA, USA
Event
NTSB number
WPR15FA081
Event ID
20150109X71237
Type
Accident
Date
2015-01-09
Location
Van Nuys, CA, USA
Coordinates
34.205833, -118.48722
Injuries
Highest injury
FATL
Fatal
1
Serious
0
Minor
0
Uninjured
0
Total aboard
1
Aircraft
Make
GIBBS
Model
LANCAIR 320
Registration
N7ZL
FAR Part
091
Engines
1
Damage
SUBS
Conditions
Light
DAYL
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
The pilot's improper decision to take off despite low fuel alerts, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, his subsequent failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, which led to an aerodynamic stall and loss of control at too low of an altitude to recover. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's distraction due to his sending e-mails and being rushed during taxi and takeoff, which resulted in reduced vigilance about the airplane's fuel status.