# NTSB FTW97LA293: Bauer Vans RV-4, N37RV, Seminole, TX, July 31, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 31, 1997, 07:45 local (12:45 UTC) - Place: Seminole, TX - Coordinates: 32.709274, -102.649002 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7093&lon=-102.6490&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report May 4, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20301 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA293 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20301/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA293 ## Probable cause loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's improper use of the fuel tank selector. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with object, emergency landing after takeoff - object - wire,static - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - fence post ## Analysis The pilot reported that the engine lost power after takeoff while he switched the fuel selector from the right to left fuel tank. The pilot stated that when he moved the fuel selector valve to switch tanks he failed to 'line the fuel selector valve correctly and therefore [caused] fuel starvation to the engine.' The pilot attempted to restart the engine, but was unsuccessful. Due to the low altitude of the airplane, the pilot was unable to attempt a second restart, and he executed a forced landing to a road in a residential area. The airplane struck a power line, impacted on and slid across an asphalt road, and struck a fence. ## Factual narrative On July 31, 1997 at 0745 central daylight time a Bauer, Vans RV-4 experimental, amateur built airplane, N37RV, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power, near Seminole, Texas. The commercial instrument rated pilot and his passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country flight which was conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane had taken off less than five minutes earlier from Gaines County Airport, Seminole, Texas, and was en route to Yoakum County Airport, Plains, Texas, when the accident occurred. The pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that the aircraft departed from runway 17. The pilot stated that he leveled the airplane approximately 600 to 800 feet AGL. After scanning the instruments, the pilot switched the fuel selector from the right tank to the left tank, and the engine lost power. The pilot reported that he failed to "line the fuel selector valve correctly and therefore [caused] fuel starvation to the engine." The pilot attempted to restart the engine by correctly lining up the fuel selector valve, applying full throttle, full rich mixture and engaging the boost pump, but was unsuccessful. The pilot was unable to attempt a second restart due to his low altitude. A forced landing was executed to a road in a residential area. The FAA inspector who examined the airplane at the site reported that the airplane struck a power line about 50 feet AGL which sliced through a portion of the left wing. The airplane slid across an asphalt road sideways and struck two 6 inch diameter metal fence posts coming to rest upright. The landing gear collapsed under the airplane. The right wing leading edge was crushed in by one post, and the tail section was folded forward toward the cockpit. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N37RV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N37RV-2000-02-07), registration cancelled 2000-02-07, S/N 37 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bauer VANS RV-4 - Registry model: [Bauer Frederick R VANS RV-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/bauer-frederick-r-vans-rv-4) (registry code 05608Y3) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 37 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Adrian Guetersloh - Registered owner: G.B. Aerial Applications, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 31F, TX - Destination: F98, PLAINS, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 1,000 total, 150 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 2 knots, gusting 3 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F ## 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 19970731020849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970731020849A), Jul 31, 1997: Amtrvn VANSRV4, Seminole, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft took off, reached 500FT AGL, switched fuel tanks, engine quit, crashed while trying to land on road. (-23) the pilot states that he took off, climbed… 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.