Remos GX accident near Fort Pierce, Florida, September 6, 2023
On September 6, 2023 at about 6:37 pm local time, a 2009 Remos GX, registered N81GX, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Fort Pierce, Florida. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during cruise flight due to fuel exhaustion.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 6, 2023 · about 6:37 pm local time
- Place
- Fort Pierce, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Remos GX NO SERIES, built 2009
- Registration
- N81GX · registry record · serial 304
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the airplane had not flown for about 1 year, and he was told 5 gallons of automobile gasoline remained in it during that time. The pilot further stated that he added an additional 10 gallons of automobile gasoline before the accident flight; however, he was unable to provide a receipt for that fuel. About 30 minutes into a cross-country flight to another airport to purchase more fuel, the engine exhibited a decrease in rpm followed by a total loss of engine power. The pilot managed to restart the engine but it lost all power again. He was unable to glide the airplane to the nearest airport and subsequently performed a forced landing to a field. Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed that the single 22-gallon fuselage fuel tank remained intact and contained no fuel. Additionally, the engine-driven fuel pump, fuel lines, and carburetors contained no fuel. Once fuel was added, the engine started normally and ran continuously. Based on this information, it is likely that during the flight, the airplane’s fuel supply was exhausted, which resulted in the total loss of engine power.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Fuel exhaustion during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Landing gear collapse during landing
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › Fuel planning › Pilot
- Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid level
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 214 hours in all; 85 in this make and model; 96 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 10, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,500 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, July 28, 2023; 5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,320 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912ULS (piston); 2,500 hours total
The flight
- Destination: ISM Kissimmee FL
- Flight plan: VFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from FPR, 8 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KFPR 061853Z 11010KT 10SM CLR 31/21 A2998
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on July 24, 2024. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memoranda for the Record | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum for Record - Pilot Email | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Excerpts from Aircraft Logbooks | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Photo Array | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Engine Run Video (Mov, 10 Sec, 394K) | MOV file | Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.