The pilot purchased the Van’s RV-6 the day before the accident.
After the purchase, he completed two flights in the airplane uneventfully. The next day, during the third flight, the engine lost all power and he performed a forced landing to a cornfield near Eaton, Ohio.
During the landing, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The pilot was seriously injured in the crash.
Examination of the wreckage by an FAA inspector revealed substantial damage to the left wing and vertical stabilizer. The inspector noted that the there was a faint smell of automotive gasoline, and that the airplane was equipped with a Honda Civic engine. His examination was limited due to the disposition of the wreckage.
Subsequent examination of the wreckage by a recovery crew revealed that both fuel tanks were absent of fuel and there was no evidence of a fuel leak in the field.
When asked how much fuel was on board the airplane, the pilot told investigators that he had flown earlier in the day uneventfully and “started with about 35 gallons.”
He also stated that when the engine lost power, the fuel gauges indicated that about 8 to 10 gallons of fuel remained.
When asked specifically how much fuel was on board the airplane when it was delivered, and how much (if any) was added to it, the pilot responded that he did not know.
The previous owner told investigators that the airplane was delivered with approximately three gallons in the right-wing fuel tank and 10 gallons in the left-wing fuel tank.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s inadequate fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
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This April 2023 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Hard to put into words all these avoidable accidents. From incompitenet CFI’s to seasoned pilots just all assuming evrything is where it should be.
He tried to land the plane, with no lights, in an unlit, harvested cornfield…after sunset. Think he could tell which way the furrows ran?
Perpendicular vs. parallel: Makes a big difference.
I’m tired of reading about people running out of fuel.
The landing was so bad that it completely blew the wheel pants right off.
CHECKLIST…CHECKLIST…CHECKLIST…
I can’t imagine the disappointment in trashing your dream airplane one day after you finally get it. The injuries only add to the immense insult. Why is it too hard to twist open the fuel cap and look inside the tank? A graphic remedial lesson for all pilots. Oh, dear God, don’t let me forget it.
I wonder how often a diver heads toward the depths without checking how much air is in the tanks.
Only once.