# NTSB ERA12CA055: Tacchi Torello F Vans Aircraft RV10, N968TP, Folkston, GA, October 30, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 30, 2011, 11:14 local (15:14 UTC) - Place: Folkston, GA - Coordinates: 30.79111, -82.023612 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.7911&lon=-82.0236&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-descent: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 82209 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA055 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82209/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA055 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper preflight planning, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Tacchi Torello F VANS AIRCRAFT RV10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=05630RV), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Tacchi Torello F VANS AIRCRAFT RV10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=05630RV), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-descent: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Tacchi Torello F VANS AIRCRAFT RV10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=05630RV), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that, prior to departing on the 1-hour flight, he added 5 gallons of fuel to both the left and right fuel tanks and visually estimated the total fuel on board to be 23 gallons. About 4 minutes from the destination airport, the engine began to sputter. The pilot noticed that the right fuel tank gauge indicated empty, and the left indicated one-quarter full. The pilot then switched the fuel selector from the right tank to the left and proceeded to fly at a reduced power setting, but the engine began to sputter again, and the pilot selected a field in which to perform a forced landing. The airplane landed between two trees, resulting in substantial damage to both wings. The pilot stated there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that prior to departing on the one-hour flight, he added 5 gallons of fuel to both left and right fuel tanks, and visually estimated the total fuel on board to be 23 gallons. Approximately 4 minutes from the destination airport, the engine began to sputter. The pilot noticed that the right fuel tank gauge indicated empty, and the left indicated one-quarter full. The pilot then switched the fuel selector from the right tank to the left, but the engine continued to sputter, and the pilot selected a field to perform a forced landing. The airplane landed between two trees, resulting in substantial damage to both left and right wings. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N968TP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N968TP-2012-01-12), registration cancelled 2012-01-12, S/N 40031, built 2011 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: TACCHI TORELLO F VANS AIRCRAFT RV10 - Registry model: [Tacchi Torello F VANS AIRCRAFT RV10](https://openairdocs.org/model/tacchi-torello-f-vans-aircraft-rv10) (registry code 05630RV) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 40031 - Airframe hours: 70 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 SER 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Tacchi Torello F - Registered owner: Tacchi Torello F - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special); Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Condition, March 24, 2011 - Departed: OIJ, Hilliard, FL - Destination: AYS, Waycross, GA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 28, 2011; flight hours: 2,322 total, 69 in this make and model, 2,055 as pilot in command, 69 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 17 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: JAX, 25 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 20111030026909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111030026909A), Oct 30, 2011: Tacchi Torello F VANS AIRCRAFT RV10, Folkston, GA, Substantial damage. The pilot departed his home base hilliard airpark (01J) Florida flew to waycross ware county (ays) to check operation of navigation equipment installed in… 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.