# NTSB CEN12LA630: Halderman, Floyd G. RV-6A, N464EH, Eldon, MO, September 11, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 11, 2012, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Eldon, MO - Coordinates: 38.361667, -92.571388 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3617&lon=-92.5714&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 13, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - Kansas City FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 85024 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12LA630 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85024/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85024 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA630 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Floyd G Halderman JR RV 6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=05631MO), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Floyd G Halderman JR RV 6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=05631MO), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Floyd G Halderman JR RV 6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=05631MO), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Floyd G Halderman JR RV 6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=05631MO), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191); cases with it: [Floyd G Halderman JR RV 6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=05631MO), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Floyd G Halderman JR RV 6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05631MO), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Floyd G Halderman JR RV 6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05631MO), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Floyd G Halderman JR RV 6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05631MO), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis 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. ## Factual narrative On September 11, 2012, about 0830 central daylight time, an amateur-built Halderman RV 6A airplane, N464EH, impacted a fence and trees during a forced landing following a complete loss of engine power after takeoff from the Eldon Model Airport, Eldon, Missouri. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The aircraft was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on a flight plan. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. In a telephone interview, 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. He said that 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N464EH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N464EH), registered now, S/N 22705, built 2012 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HALDERMAN, FLOYD G. RV-6A - Registry model: [Floyd G Halderman JR RV 6A](https://openairdocs.org/model/floyd-g-halderman-jr-rv-6a) (registry code 05631MO) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320-E2D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-e2d) (registry code 42123, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 22705 - Airframe hours: 30 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, February 21, 2012, 30 hours before - Departed: H79, Eldon, MO - Destination: H79, Eldon, MO - Airport: H79, Eldon Model Airpark, runway 36, 4,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 21, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 900 total, 141 in this make and model, 900 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: AIZ, 16 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20120911020829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120911020829A), Sep 11, 2012: Floyd G Halderman Jr RV 6A, Eldon, MO, Substantial damage. Aircraft departed rwy 36 at H79 and pilot executed a 45-degree banked climbing left turn immediately after lift off. The engine lost power midway through turn… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 6, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85024. 510 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 457 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40401838&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of conversation with pilot (item 2, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40401839&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20conversation%20with%20pilot-Master.PDF 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. --- 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.