# Accident 20210903015279A: Ave Stephen RV8, Delray Beach, FL, September 3, 2021

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 3, 2021, 12:50 local time
- Place: Delray Beach, FL
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 26.4552° N, 80.2107° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.4552&lon=-80.2107&mi=10
- Aircraft: N388RV, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N388RV) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Ave Stephen RV8 (registry code 05610A7, https://openairdocs.org/model/ave-stephen-rv8) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming I0360 SER A&C (registry code 41511, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AVE STEPHEN RV8
- Reported engine: LYCOMING I0360 SER A&C
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 24,388 total, 72 in this make and model, 73 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA21LA393](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA393) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210903015279A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON 9/3/2021 N388RV, AN RV8, A HOMEBUILD EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT, TOOK OFF FROM KLNA TO KIMM FOR THE PURPOSE OF REFUELING. THE WEATHER CONDITION WAS 2500 FT. SCATTERED CLOUDS.

THE FLIGHT WAS SCHEDULED FOR 30 MINUTES WITH A FUEL BURN OF 4-5 GALLONS. THE PILOT COULD NOT DIPSTICK THE LEVEL OF THE FUEL SINCE IT WAS A TAILWHEEL AIRCRAFT AND THE FUEL WAS IN THE LOWER PART OF THE TANK DUE TO THE ANGLE OF THE WING. PILOT ESTIMATED 9-10 GALLONS REMAINING IN THE TANK. THE TANK HOLDS 21 GALLONS, EACH SIDE..

PILOT DEPARTED VFR FROM KLNA AT ABOUT 11: 20AM  FOR KIMM. AS HE PROCEEDED WESTBOUND HE NOTICED RAIN CELLS WERE BUILDING IN GREAT INTENSITY IN HIS DIRECTION SO HE CHANGED COURSE TO THE SOUTHWEST TO AVOID THE RAIN. PILOT DECIDED TO RETURN TO KLNA. ON THE WAY BACK THE ENGINE STARTED TO SPUTTER, PILOT TURNED ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP, SWITCHED TANKS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT BUT AFTER A WHILE, THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AGAIN SO HE PREPARED FOR AN OFF-AIRPORT LANDING. KNOWING THAT MOST HIGHWAYS HAVE WIRES ACROSS HE DECIDED TO USE A HORSE RACETRACK AS  LANDING ZONE. AS HE APPROACHED THE TRACK HE SELECTED 10 DEGREES OF FLAPS TO EXTEND HIS GLIDING DISTANT BUT HE EXPERIENCED A SIGNIFICANT SINK RATE INSTEAD THEREFORE HE  WAS UNABLE TO CLEAR THE RAILING OF THE TRACK AND CRASHED THE AIRPLANE.

PILOT TURNED ALL SWITCHES OFF AND EXITED THE AIRCRAFT UNHURT. HE WAS THE ONLY OCCUPANT ON BOARD.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA21LA393](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA393), Sep 3, 2021: Vans RV8 (N388RV), Delray, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection and improper fuel planning which resulted in fuel exhaustion and subsequent loss of engine power.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.