# NTSB DFW07CA093: Dwayne Smith RV-6, N725ES, Fort Worth, TX, April 15, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 15, 2007, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Fort Worth, TX - Coordinates: 32.820289, -97.35971 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8203&lon=-97.3597&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 27, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Fort Worth, Texas - NTSB case key (mKey): 65579 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW07CA093 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65579/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW07CA093 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power during cruise flight for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - ground - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The 8,633-hour airline transport pilot executed a forced landing to a field after the single-engine experimental airplane he was flying experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot reported in the NTSB Form 6120.1 (Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report) that he departed on a local flight approximately 15 minutes prior to the mishap. Prior to the flight, all systems checked-out normal and the weather was reported as visual flight rules for the duration of the flight. The pilot stated that he was flying at 2,400 feet mean sea level over densely populated urban area when the engine lost power. He added that at the time of loss of engine power the left fuel tank was selected and the tank was two-thirds full, while the right fuel tank was completely full. The pilot stated that he immediately turned-on the fuel boost pump and switched fuel tanks when the engine lost power. His actions did not restore engine power so the pilot established an airspeed of 80 knots and began looking for a suitable landing area. The pilot was able to land the airplane in a vacant field with full flaps in a wings level attitude with the tail wheel touching down first. The main landing gear subsequently "gave way and collapsed" allowing the airplane to come to rest in the upright position. The pilot and his passenger were able to exit the airplane unassisted and received no injuries. The airplane sustained structural damage to the right wing and main landing gear. The weather near the accident site was reported as wind from 330 degrees at 5 knots, clear skies, 10 miles visibility, and a barometric pressure setting of 30.02 inches of Mercury. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative The 8,633-hour airline transport pilot executed a forced landing to a field after the single-engine experimental airplane he was flying experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot reported in the NTSB Form 6120.1 (Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report) that he departed on a local flight approximately 15 minutes prior to the mishap. Prior to the flight, all systems checked-out normal and the weather was reported as visual flight rules for the duration of the flight. The pilot stated that he was flying at 2,400 feet mean sea level over densely populated urban area when the engine lost power. He added that at the time of loss of engine power the left fuel tank was selected and the tank was two-thirds full, while the right fuel tank was completely full. The pilot stated that he immediately turned-on the fuel boost pump and switched fuel tanks when the engine lost power. His actions did not restore engine power so the pilot established an airspeed of 80 knots and began looking for a suitable landing area. The pilot was able to land the airplane in a vacant field with full flaps in a wings level attitude with the tail wheel touching down first. The main landing gear subsequently "gave way and collapsed" allowing the airplane to come to rest in the upright position. The pilot and his passenger were able to exit the airplane unassisted and received no injuries. The airplane sustained structural damage to the right wing and main landing gear. The weather near the accident site was reported as wind from 330 degrees at 5 knots, clear skies, 10 miles visibility, and a barometric pressure setting of 30.02 inches of Mercury. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N725ES](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N725ES), registered now, S/N 25629, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Dwayne Smith RV-6 - Registry model: [Smith Dwayne RV-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-dwayne-rv-6) (registry code 05613AO) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-A1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-a1a) (registry code 41594, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 25629 - Airframe hours: 180 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Dwayne Smith - Registered owner: Robert Kennedy - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special); Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Condition, February 1, 2007 - Departed: KGKY, Arlington, TX - Destination: KGKY ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; flight engineer, private, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 8,633 total, 62 in this make and model, 22 as pilot in command, 152 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg ## 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 20070415004349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070415004349A), Apr 15, 2007: Smithd RV6, Fort Worth, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft lost power at 2200 MSL. PIC performed emergency landing on gravel road. Gear collapsed upon 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. --- 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.