# NTSB DEN04LA069: Branham Vans RV-6, N29KB, Paragonah, UT, May 7, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 7, 2004, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Paragonah, UT - Coordinates: 37.92958, -112.640022 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9296&lon=-112.6400&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 59182 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN04LA069 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59182/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN04LA069 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight and in-flight planning/decision which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the loss of engine power. The berm and the pilot not stopping to refuel the airplane were contributing factors. ## 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 - exhaustion (contributing factor) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fuel supply - inadequate - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - berm (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot stated he visually inspected the fuel tanks and determined the right tank was just over 1/2 full, and the left tank was approximately 1/4 full, for an estimated total of 16 gallons. The pilot wrote, "A visual check confirmed fuel, but it is difficult to judge [the] amount visually." At a fuel consumption rate of 10 gallons per hour, the pilot estimated he had at least 1.5 hours endurance, which would allow him to complete the flight. The pilot flew for 25 minutes on the right tank, flew 25 minutes on the left tank, then switched back to the right tank. Shortly thereafter, the right fuel gauge registered empty. The pilot switched back to the left tank and "about 12 miles [from his destination] the tank went dry." The engine lost power shortly thereafter, and he made a forced landing in a field. During the landing, the left wing tip struck a berm and was sheared off. The left fuel tank was breached, the firewall was buckled, and the engine separated from the firewall. The pilot said that he "should have had enough fuel for the trip but unfortunately that proved not to be the case." ## Factual narrative On May 7, 2004, approximately 1230 mountain daylight time, a Branham Vans RV-6, N29KB, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a power loss 7 miles north of Paragonah, Utah. The private pilot, the sole occupant on board, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Provo, Utah, at 1130, and was en route to Parowan, Utah. In his accident report, the pilot stated that he inspected the fuel tanks prior to departure and determined the right tank was slightly more than 1/2 full, and the left tank was approximately 1/4 full, for an estimated total of 16 gallons. The pilot wrote, "A visual check confirmed fuel, but it is difficult to judge [the] amount visually." At a fuel consumption rate of 10 gallons per hour, the pilot estimated he had at least 1.5 hours endurance, which would allow him to complete the flight. The pilot flew for 25 minutes on the right tank, then flew for 25 minutes on the left tank. He then switched back to the right tank. As the airplane passed Beaver, Utah, the right fuel gauge registered empty and the pilot switched to the left tank. "About 12 miles out of Parawan the tank went dry," and the engine lost power. The pilot made a forced landing in an open field. During the landing, the left wing tip was sheared off, the left fuel tank was breached, the firewall was buckled, and the engine separated from the firewall. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N29KB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N29KB-2008-11-13), registration cancelled 2008-11-13, S/N 001, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Branham Vans RV-6 - Registry model: [Branham Kory A BRANHAM VANS RV-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/branham-kory-a-branham-vans-rv-6) (registry code 05607RZ) (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: 001 - Airframe hours: 354 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, April 27, 2004, 3 hours before - Departed: PVU, Provo, UT - Destination: 1L9, Parowan, UT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 10, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 887 total, 191 in this make and model, 550 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 15 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: CDC, 35 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 20040507010159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040507010159A), May 7, 2004: Amtr VANSRV6, Paroway, UT, Destroyed. (-23) On may 7, 2004, N29KB, branham van's RV-6, departed from provo, UT, enroute to parowan, UT. Before takeoff the pilot checked the fuel quantity via the… 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.