ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 267312
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| Date: | Friday 3 September 2021 |
| Time: | 11:50 LT |
| Type: |  Van's RV-8 |
| Owner/operator: | |
| Registration: | N388RV |
| MSN: | 80787 |
| Year of manufacture: | 2000 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 202 hours |
| Engine model: | Lycoming IO-360-A1B6 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | W of Delray Beach, Palm Beach County, FL -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | West Palm Beach , FL |
| Immokalee Airport, FL (IMM/KIMM) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The pilot reported that during the preflight inspection he was unable to measure the fuel quantity with a dipstick, due to the tailwheel airplane's tail-low attitude as it sat on the ramp. He stated that he 'rocked the wing back and forth'¦to see the fuel sloshing around' and estimated that the left tank contained 9-10 gallons, and the right tank had 'less fuel visible.' The purpose of the flight was to refuel the airplane at the destination airport, where fuel was less expensive. He estimated a fuel burn of 4-5 gallons for the planned 30-minute flight.
While enroute, the pilot diverted his course to avoid rain showers that were developing before he ultimately decided to return to the departure airport. During the return, the engine began to 'sputter,' at which time he turned on the electric fuel pump and switched the fuel selector from the left tank to the right tank. Sometime after, the engine sputtered again, and he decided to perform an off-airport landing. During landing the airplane struck a fence rail, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings.
A post-accident examination of the airplane revealed that the damaged fuel tanks were devoid of fuel, with no indications of fuel having leaked from them, and no odor of fuel was noted at the scene.
Probable Cause: The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and improper fuel planning which resulted in fuel exhaustion and subsequent loss of engine power.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB ERA21LA393
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N388RV/history/20210903/1631Z/KLNA/L%2026.46439%20-80.21281
FAA register: https://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=388RV
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 03-Sep-2021 21:31 | Geno | Added |
| 03-Sep-2021 23:40 | RobertMB | Updated [Aircraft type, Registration, Cn, Operator, Location, Nature, Departure airport, Source, Narrative] |
| 04-Sep-2021 06:29 | Anon. | Updated [Time, Phase, Destination airport, Source, Narrative] |
| 24-Jun-2022 14:09 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Operator, Total occupants, Other fatalities, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative, Category, Accident report] |
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