# NTSB ERA24LA158: Jmmt Vans RV9A, N387E, Jasper, GA, March 29, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 29, 2024, 11:41 local (15:41 UTC) - Place: Jasper, GA · 34.468555, -84.495474 - Coordinates: 34.468555, -84.495474 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4686&lon=-84.4955&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-descent: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 194008 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA158 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194008/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194008 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA158 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation for reasons that could not be determined due to impact-related damage. ## 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 · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Jmmt VANS RV9A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=05641KR), [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. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft inspection event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050); cases with it: [Jmmt VANS RV9A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md?model=05641KR), [All aircraft, 229 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md) - [Enroute-descent: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Jmmt VANS RV9A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=05641KR), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Jmmt VANS RV9A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05641KR), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The purpose of the flight was for the private pilot/builder of the experimental amateur-built airplane to complete the second flight of the phase one flight testing. The pilot planned to remain near the airport and obtain engine performance data. The pilot reported that after a normal takeoff, he maneuvered in the area and observed normal engine performance, and he then descended to return to the airport traffic pattern. The pilot reported that while approaching a left downwind for landing, he observed the engine rpm decline and the Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS) timer announced, “change fuel tank.” The pilot engaged the fuel boost pump and switched from the left to right fuel tank, which was followed by a complete loss of engine power. The pilot elected to land in a field, and during the landing roll, the left wing struck a utility pole. The fuselage and left wing sustained substantial damage. Examination of the engine found no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation and fuel was found in the right tank after the accident. During examination of the fuel system and selector, the right tank fuel line b-nut exhibited low torque, which could have resulted in a total loss of power due to fuel starvation. Although it is possible that the loose B-nut at the fuel selector allowed air into the fuel line when the pilot switched to the right fuel tank, due to the impact damage sustained to other areas of the fuel lines, and lack of recorded data from the multifunction display, the reason for the fuel starvation could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On March 29, 2024, about 1141 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Vans RV9A airplane, N387E, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Pickens County Airport (JZP), Jasper, Georgia. The private pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 test flight. A part-owner/builder of the airplane stated that the the accident flight was the second flight during the phase one flight testing and the airplane had accumulated about one hour of total time. The accident pilot, who was also a builder of the airplane stated that the purpose was to remain near the JZP airport and obtain engine performance data. The pilot reported that after a normal takeoff, he maintained 4,000 ft mean sea level near the airport to observe engine performance. The observations were unremarkable, and he then descended to return to the airport traffic pattern. The pilot reported that while approaching a left downwind for runway 34, he observed engine rpm decline and the EFIS timer announced, “change fuel tank.” The pilot subsequently engaged the fuel boost pump and switched from the left to right fuel tank, which was followed by a complete loss of engine power. The pilot elected to land in a field, and during the landing the left wing struck a utility pole. The pilot recalled that the boost pump remained running after the forced landing, and he subsequently shut the pump off. According to the part-owner and builder of the airplane, who was monitoring the test flight operations from the ground, the preflight was normal and the pilot radioed to him after about 15 minutes of flying that everything was proceeding normally. After hearing an emergency locator transmitter (ELT) sound over the radio, he was able to locate the accident site within a few minutes. He observed that the fuel selector was selected to the right tank and during recovery operations, about 2.5 gallons of fuel was drained from the right wing, with additional fuel in the grass surrounding the accident site. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who examined the airplane at the accident site, the airplane impacted the utility pole and the left wing was partially separated from the fuselage. The left wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage. Examination of the airplane and engine found that the fuel strainer contained about 4 ounces of clean fuel. The mechanical fuel pump was tested and found operational. The fuel vent in the right wing tank was clear and vented normally. The inspector removed the fuel selector and discovered that the right fuel tank line "B" nut (located at the fuel selector) exhibited low torque. There was no evidence of fuel staining or leaking around the fuel selector. The fuel line from the fuel selector to the engine was dislodged from impact damage. An engine test run was attempted. Due to impact damage, the starter would only partially engage; however, theengine exhibited continuity and the Nos. 1 and 4 cylinders fired during the test. Review of the carburetor icing probability chart found that the engine was not at risk for icing during the flight. The airplane was equipped with an Advanced Flight Systems AF-5600 multifunction display. Data was downloaded from the device; however, the files contained no flight data. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N387E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N387E-2025-08-09), registration cancelled 2025-08-09, S/N 90387, built 2024 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: JMMT LLC VANS RV9A (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Jmmt VANS RV9A](https://openairdocs.org/model/jmmt-vans-rv9a) (registry code 05641KR) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-series) (registry code 42389, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 90387 - Year built: 2024 - Airframe hours: 1 - Engines: Lycoming Experimental Rebuilt O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jmmt LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, January 24, 2024, 1 hours before - Airport: JZP, Pickens County Airport, runway 16/34, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Stall warning system, Satellite tracking device, Handheld GPS, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Data recorder, Auto-pilot, Angle of attack indicator ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 82; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 17, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 863 total, 2 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.24 inHg - Observed at: CNI, 10 nm away - METAR: KCNI 291535Z AUTO 31010KT 10SM CLR 16/M03 A3024 RMK AO2 T01601034 ## 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 20240329003619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240329003619A), Mar 29, 2024: Jmmt LLC VANS RV9A, Jasper, GA, Substantial damage. Pilot reports that while onthe aircraft's secondoperational test flight with approximately only one hour of flight time felt like it began to lose power. The… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 14, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194008. 4.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17675876&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector statement (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 227 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17676068&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N387E%20Inspectors%20Statement%20-Rel.pdf - Memo for record (co-builder) (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 90 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17676078&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MFR%20(Co-Builder)-Rel.pdf - Carburetor icing probability chart (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 278 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17675886&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Carb%20Ice%20Chart-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 5, PDF, 5 pages, 4 photos, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17675477&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photographs-Rel.pdf - Electronic flight instrument system - specialist's factual report (item 6, PDF, 3 pages, 99 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17329704&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Electronic%20Flight%20Instrument%20System%20-%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report-Rel.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.