ERA23LA208

The pilot of the experimental amateur-built airplane purchased it the day before the accident. After the purchase, the pilot completed two flights in the airplane uneventfully. The next day, during the third flight, the engine lost all power and the airplane nosed over in a field during a forced landing, coming to rest inverted. Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed that both fuel tanks were absent of fuel and there was no evidence of fuel spillage at the accident site. No evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane’s automotive conversion engine were observed. When asked after the accident how much fuel was onboard when the airplane was delivered, and how much (if any) was added to it, the pilot responded that he did not know. The pilot believed that during a previous flight he had started with around 35 gallons and that 8 to 10 gallons should have been onboard at the time of the accident based on the airplane’s fuel quantity gauges. The previous owner stated that the airplane was delivered with approximately 3 gallons in the right-wing fuel tank and 10 gallons in the left-wing fuel tank. Based on this information, it is likely that the pilot overestimated the fuel quantity onboard the airplane, and had based that estimate on fuel quantity gauge indications that may have been inaccurate. This subsequently resulted in fuel exhaustion and the total loss of engine power.

On April 25, 2023, about 2035 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Vans RV6, N327WC, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Eaton, Ohio. The private pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot stated that he purchased the airplane the day before the accident. After the purchase, the pilot completed two flights in the airplane uneventfully. The next day, during the third flight, the engine lost all power and the pilot performed a forced landing to a cornfield. During the landing, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the left wing and vertical stabilizer. The inspector noted that the there was a faint smell of automotive gasoline, and that airplane was equipped with a Honda Civic engine. His examination was limited due to the disposition of the wreckage. Subsequent examination of the wreckage by a recovery crew revealed that both fuel tanks were absent of fuel and there was no evidence of a fuel leak in the field. When asked how much fuel was onboard when the airplane the pilot stated that he had flown earlier in the day uneventfully and “started with about 35 gallons.” He also stated that when the engine lost power, the fuel gauges indicated that about 8 to 10 gallons of fuel remained. When asked specifically how much fuel was onboard the airplane when it was delivered, and how much (if any) was added to it, the pilot responded that he did not know. The previous owner stated that the airplane was delivered with approximately 3 gallons in the right-wing fuel tank and 10 gallons in the left-wing fuel tank. The engine was retained for further examination. The propeller was rotated by hand and continuity was confirmed through the reduction gear to the rear accessory section. No evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions were observed.