Pilot Debrief

HALDERMAN, FLOYD G. RV-6A near Eldon, MO — 2012-09-11

Final reportCEN12LA630
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Date
2012-09-11
Location
Eldon, MO, USA
Airport
H79
Aircraft
HALDERMAN, FLOYD G. RV-6A
Registration
N464EH
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power.

NTSB narrative

The airplane impacted a fence and trees during a forced landing following a complete loss of engine power after takeoff. The pilot/builder of the airplane reported that the purpose of the flight was to ascertain the unusable fuel quantity in the right wing fuel tank. His intent was to fly the airplane on the right fuel tank until the engine gave signs that it was running out of fuel and then switch to the left wing fuel tank which contained more fuel. He said that he had done this previously on other airplanes that he had built to get an accurate in-flight fuel gauge indication of the low fuel state. He said that on the accident flight, he took off on the right tank and as he made a climbing turn after takeoff the engine stopped producing power and the airplane stalled. He lowered the nose, leveled the wings, and selected a field in which to make a forced landing. Upon landing the airplane hit a fence and trees at the edge of the field. Examination of the airplane after the accident revealed that the right wing fuel tank contained approximately two gallons of fuel. The left wing fuel tank was about 1/2 full. A postaccident examination of the airplane and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Switching to the left fuel tank before takeoff could have prevented the loss of power.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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