# NTSB ERA12CA088: Anatra Bart T Vans RV-7A, N816BA, Quinton, VA, November 25, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: November 25, 2011, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Quinton, VA
- Coordinates: 37.503334, -77.126663 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5033&lon=-77.1267&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 16, 2012
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 82409
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82409/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82409
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA088

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, and the subsequent nose-over during the forced landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Fuel system: fuel selector/shutoff valve](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Anatra Bart T VANS RV-7A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md?model=056171Y), [All aircraft, 176 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Flight crew (probable cause); cases with it: [Anatra Bart T VANS RV-7A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=056171Y), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Anatra Bart T VANS RV-7A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=056171Y), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Anatra Bart T VANS RV-7A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=056171Y), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Anatra Bart T VANS RV-7A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=056171Y), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Anatra Bart T VANS RV-7A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=056171Y), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Anatra Bart T VANS RV-7A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=056171Y), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, after a touch-and-go landing and takeoff and, while the airplane was about 500 feet above the ground, the engine lost power. The pilot attempted to return to the airport; however, the airplane landed short of the runway. The nose gear collapsed, and the airplane "flipped," resulting in structural damage to the engine firewall, fuselage, and vertical stabilizer. Examination of the wreckage found that the right fuel tank was empty and was not breached. The pilot stated that the main fuel switch was in the right tank position when the engine lost power. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunction or failure.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, after a touch-and-go, about 500 feet above the ground, the engine lost power. The pilot attempted to return to the airport; however, it was dark and the airplane landed short of the runway. The nose gear collapsed and the airplane "flipped," resulting in structural damage to the engine firewall, fuselage, and vertical stabilizer. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the wreckage and found the right fuel tank was empty of fuel and was not breached. The pilot stated that the main fuel switch was in the right tank position when the engine lost power. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction or failure during the accident flight.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N816BA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N816BA), registered now, S/N 70809, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ANATRA BART T VANS RV-7A
- Registry model: [Anatra Bart T VANS RV-7A](https://openairdocs.org/model/anatra-bart-t-vans-rv-7a) (registry code 056171Y) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 70809
- Airframe hours: 239
- Engines: Superior XP-O-360-A1A2 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bradley David
- Registered owner: Bradley David
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, November 16, 2011, 1 hours before
- Departed: W96, Quinton, VA
- Destination: W96, Quinton, VA
- Airport: W96, New Kent County Airport, runway 28, 3,600 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; flight engineer, military, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 31, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 7,400 total, 115 in this make and model, 5,100 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night
- Wind: 220° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.23 inHg
- Observed at: RIC, 9 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 20111125027069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111125027069A), Nov 25, 2011: Anatra Bart T VANS RV-7A, New Kent, VA, Substantial damage. N816AB, piloted by [privacy data omitted], was conducting multiple takeoffs and landings on runway 10 at New Kent county airport (W96). After takeoff, during…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 30, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82409. 404 KB in all.

- Correspondence with FAA Inspector (item 1, .PDF, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360516&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Correspondence%20with%20FAA%20Inspector-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 2, .PDF, 341 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360610&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF

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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