# NTSB ERA15LA344: Easterwood Mark W RV 6A, N555TN, Rome, GA, September 7, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 7, 2015, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Rome, GA - Coordinates: 34.355556, -85.14083 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3556&lon=-85.1408&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern crosswind: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report September 11, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 91933 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15LA344 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91933/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91933 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA344 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Easterwood Mark W RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=05611KR), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Easterwood Mark W RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=05611KR), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern crosswind: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Easterwood Mark W RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=05611KR), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Easterwood Mark W RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05611KR), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Easterwood Mark W RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05611KR), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot stated that, during the preflight inspection, he used a dipstick to measure fuel quantity; the right tank contained 3 gallons, and the left tank contained 6 gallons. He noted that the fuel level was low but determined that it was adequate for two or three touch-and-go landings. The pilot departed with the fuel selector positioned to the left tank, where it remained for the entire flight. After one landing and one low approach, the engine experienced a total loss of power while the airplane was on an extended left crosswind leg of the airport traffic pattern. The pilot performed a 180° left turn toward the opposite direction runway. After an unsuccessful attempt to restart the engine, the pilot determined that the airplane would not be able to glide to the runway and performed a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the wings and fuselage sustained substantial damage. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. Both fuel tanks remained intact. About 1.5 gallons of fuel was present in the left fuel tank. The right fuel tank was absent of fuel, and no fuel was present in the fuel strainer. Each fuel tank had a capacity of 19 gallons, of which about 1 gallon in each tank was unusable. ## Factual narrative On September 7, 2015, about 1000 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Van's RV-6A, N555TN, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in a field after a total loss of engine power in Rome, Georgia. The pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight, which departed Richard B. Russell Regional Airport (RMG), Rome, Georgia, and was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to the pilot, during the preflight inspection he measured the fuel quantity in the right tank as 3 gallons, and the left tank as 6 gallons, using a dip stick. He noted that the fuel was "low, but adequate for 2-3 touch-and-go landings." He recalled using the right fuel tank for taxi operations, and had moved the fuel selector to the left tank just prior to the engine run up, where it remained for the duration of the flight. The pilot reported that after takeoff, he had completed one touch and go landing to runway 7, and remained in a left traffic pattern. As he turned left to the base leg for a second landing, he elected to remain at the traffic pattern altitude of 1,500 feet, extend the base leg beyond the runway centerline, and then turned left to an upwind leg parallel to the runway. He intended to complete another full traffic pattern before landing. As he began a left turn to the crosswind leg about 4.5 miles beyond the runway 25 threshold, the engine lost all power. He then performed a 180-degree left turn toward runway 25. After an unsuccessful attempt to restart the engine, he determined that he would not make the runway, and turned left towards a field for an off-airport landing. Examination of the accident site and airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane had come to rest upright in a grass field. The nose and left main landing gear were collapsed. Both wings were bent upward outboard of the flaps. The right side of the empennage displayed compression buckling just aft of the right rear window, and had partially separated from the fuselage on the left side at the same location. The left horizontal stabilizer and elevator were bent down and forward. Flight control continuity was established from the flight control surfaces to the cockpit controls, with some binding noted consistent with impact damage. The spark plugs were removed and appeared normal in color and wear. The left magneto produced spark on all leads. The right magneto was inaccessible and could not be tested. The engine drivetrain was rotated by hand at the propeller, and thumb compression and suction was noted on each cylinder. The fuel tanks remained intact. About 1.5 gallons of fuel was present in the left fuel tank. The right fuel tank was found absent of fuel, and no fuel was present in the fuel strainer. Review of a pilot operating handbook for a similar make and model airplane revealed that each tank held 19gallons of fuel, with about 1 gallon in each tank unusable. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N555TN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N555TN-2017-02-06), registration cancelled 2017-02-06, S/N 23623, built 2011 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: EASTERWOOD MARK W RV 6A (A) - Registry model: [Easterwood Mark W RV-6A](https://openairdocs.org/model/easterwood-mark-w-rv-6a) (registry code 05611KR) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320-E3D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-e3d) (registry code 42127, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 23623 - Year built: 2011 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: RMG, ROME, GA - Destination: RMG, ROME, GA - Airport: RMG, Richard B Russell Regional - J - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; seat: left; flight hours: 490 total, 98 in this make and model, 418 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: KRMG, 1 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 20150907016349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150907016349A), Sep 7, 2015: Easterwood Mark W RV-6A, Rome, GA, Substantial damage. On September 07, 2015 @ approximately 10:00 local time [privacy data omitted] N555TH, RV-6A departed the Rome, GA (rmg) airport on runway 7 and remained in the… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 19, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91933. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot's Statement (item 1, .PDF, 406 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464193&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record – Conversation with FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 120 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464194&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20%E2%80%93%20Conversation%20with%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - Photo Array (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 304 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464195&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Excerpt from Exemplar RV-6 POH (item 4, .PDF, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464196&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpt%20from%20Exemplar%20RV-6%20POH-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 5, .PDF, 143 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464197&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.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. --- 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.