Pilot Debrief

VANS AIRCRAFT INC RV-12 near Abingdon, VA — 2025-05-24

Final reportERA25LA210
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Date
2025-05-24
Location
Abingdon, VA, USA
Airport
VJI
Aircraft
VANS AIRCRAFT INC RV-12
Registration
N813JC
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he did not visually verify the quantity of fuel in the airplane’s fuel tanks prior to departing on the accident flight. While enroute he climbed to 10,000 ft. mean sea level where he encountered a headwind that was greater than he had anticipated. As the pilot approached the intended destination, the engine lost power completely, so the pilot performed a forced landing to a field. During the off-airport landing, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted resulting in substantial damage to the left wing, vertical stabilizer, and rudder. Postaccident examination of the airplane found that the airplane’s fuel tank, gascolator, and carburetors were absent of fuel. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation and that the accident could have been prevented by refueling before takeoff.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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