# NTSB CHI91DEM05: Gildersleeve RV-4, N188BG, Ionia, MI, May 9, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: May 9, 1991, 13:42 local (17:42 UTC)
- Place: Ionia, MI
- Coordinates: 42.980964, -85.049919 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9810&lon=-85.0499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 9, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14830
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91DEM05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14830/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DEM05

## Probable cause

REMEDIAL ACTION NOT PERFORMED BY THE PILOT AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ASSURE THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS ON THE PROPER TANK.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - open field
  - touchdown - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF A SINGLE ENGINE HOMEBUILT STATED HE WAS AT A CRUISE ALTITUDE OF 3000 FEET MSL WHEN HIS ENGINE QUIT RUNNING.  HE STATED HE SWITCHED ON THE FUEL BOOST PUMP BUT SAW ONLY '0' FUEL PRESSURE.  HE STATED HE WAS WITHIN 2 MILES OF HIS DESTINATION AIRPORT AND BEGAN AN ATTEMPTED DEAD STICK LANDING GLIDE.  AS THE AIRPLANE NEARED THE AIRPORT HE REALIZED HE WOULD NOT CLEAR OBSTACLES IN HIS GLIDEPATH.  HE STATED HE DECIDED TO LAND IN A WHEAT FIELD.  DURING AN INTERVIEW WITH POLICE A WITNESS STATED HE SAW THE AIRPLANE 'COMING IN NOSE FIRST' AND THAT 'AT THE LAST MINUTE IT PULLED ITS NOSE UP AND HIT BELLY FIRST.'  AN ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE LEFT FUEL TANK EMPTY AND THE FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE ON THE LEFT TANK. THE RIGHT FUEL TANK WAS FOUND FULL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N188BG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N188BG), registered now, S/N 1032, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GILDERSLEEVE RV-4
- Registry model: [Barbour D R/Gildersleeve J M RV 4](https://openairdocs.org/model/barbour-d-r-gildersleeve-j-m-rv-4) (registry code 056089Z) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1032
- Airframe hours: 133
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jud M. Gildersleeve
- Registered owner: Jud M. Gildersleeve
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 11, 1991, 1 hours before
- Departed: 08C, JENISON, MI
- Destination: 9D9, HASTINGS, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 236 total, 152 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRR, 20 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 19910509014889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910509014889A), May 9, 1991: Amtrvn VANSRV4, Ionia, MI, Substantial damage. Ran left tank dry. Failed to switch to full right tank. Failed to flare properly on forced landing.

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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