# NTSB CHI00LA246: Summers RV4, N131DS, Bismarck, ND, August 6, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 6, 2000, 17:20 local (22:20 UTC)
- Place: Bismarck, ND
- Coordinates: 46.799098, -100.760604 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.7991&lon=-100.7606&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 18, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 49925
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI00LA246
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49925/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA246

## Probable cause

Inadequate preflight planning/preparation by the pilot, which resulted in fuel exhaustion.  A factor associated with the accident was the drainage ditch that the airplane contacted.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

The airplane nosed over during a forced landing.  The pilot reported that a loss of engine power occurred after he was cleared to land.  He reported he was too far from the runway, so he selected a gravel road on which to make the forced landing.  The gravel road dead-ended at an intersection with a paved road.  The airplane traveled off the end of the gravel road, crossed the paved road, and contacted a drainage ditch where it nosed over.  The pilot reported that the loss of engine power was a result of fuel exhaustion and the accident could have been prevented had he landed earlier for fuel.

## Factual narrative

On August 6, 2000, at 1720 central daylight time, a Summers RV4, N131DS, nosed over during a forced landing three miles east of the Bismarck Municipal Airport, Bismarck, North Dakota.  The private pilot reported the forced landing was a result of a total loss of engine power.  The pilot received minor injuries and the airplane was substantially damaged.  The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan.  The cross-country flight originated from Stevens Point, Wisconsin, exact time unknown.

The pilot reported he departed Stevens Point, Wisconsin, with 32 gallons of fuel on board.  He stated he arrived in the Bismarck area and was cleared to land on runway 31.  He reported the engine lost power and he was too far from the airport to make it to the runway.  He selected a gravel road on which to make the forced landing.  The gravel road dead-ended at an intersection with a paved road.  The airplane traveled off the end of the gravel road, crossed the paved road, and contacted a drainage ditch where it nosed over.

The pilot reported that the loss of engine power was a result of fuel exhaustion.  The pilot completed a NTSB Form 6120.1/2.  The pilot reported on the form that landing earlier for fuel could have prevented the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N131DS (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Summers RV4
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 2977
- Airframe hours: 82
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-D1A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald C. Summers
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2000, 24 hours before
- Departed: STE, STEVENS POINT, WI
- Destination: BIS
- Airport: BIS, Bismark Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 740 total, 82 in this make and model, 712 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BIS, 3 nm away

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.

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