# NTSB GAA17CA022: Allen Robert RV6, N399DC, Ocala, FL, October 10, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 10, 2016, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Ocala, FL - Coordinates: 29.16611, -82.223052 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1661&lon=-82.2231&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 15, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94204 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA022 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94204/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94204 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA022 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, a total loss of engine power, and a forced landing. ## 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 · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Allen Robert RV6-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=05606W0), [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: [Allen Robert RV6-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=05606W0), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Allen Robert RV6-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=05606W0), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Allen Robert RV6-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=05606W0), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Allen Robert RV6-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=05606W0), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Allen Robert RV6-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05606W0), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Allen Robert RV6-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05606W0), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he did not fill the fuel tanks before departing and while en-route the left fuel tank was exhausted and he switched to the right fuel tank. Upon reaching 3,000 feet during the descent to the destination airport, the right fuel tank was exhausted and the engine lost power. The pilot reported that when the engine lost power, the "fuel totalizer showed 30 minutes of fuel remaining, but both fuel level sender units read zero". The pilot reported that he realized the airplane would not glide to the intended airport and opted to land on a driveway at a local farm. During the forced landing the airplane struck wood and metal fence posts before the right main wheel dug into the grass and spun the airplane approximately 90 degrees to the right. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing spar. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he did not fill the fuel tanks before departing and while en-route the left fuel tank was exhausted and he switched to the right fuel tank. Upon reaching 3,000 feet during the descent to the destination airport, the right fuel tank was exhausted and the engine lost power. The pilot reported that when the engine lost power, the "fuel totalizer showed 30 minutes of fuel remaining, but both fuel level sender units read zero". The pilot reported that he realized the airplane would not glide to the intended airport and opted to land on a driveway at a local farm. During the forced landing the airplane struck wood and metal fence posts before the right main wheel dug into the grass and spun the airplane approximately 90 degrees to the right. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing spar. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N399DC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N399DC-2020-01-31), registration cancelled 2020-01-31, S/N 25129, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ALLEN ROBERT RV6 (A) - Registry model: [Allen Robert RV6-A](https://openairdocs.org/model/allen-robert-rv6-a) (registry code 05606W0) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 25129 - Year built: 1999 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320/E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, December 1, 2015 - Departed: SPA, SPARTANBURG, SC - Destination: X35, DUNNELLON, FL - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 29, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 373 total, 37 in this make and model, 338 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 10 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KOCF, 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 20161010017579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161010017579A), Oct 10, 2016: Allen Robert RV6-A, Ocala, FL, Substantial damage. Pilot stated the following: "performed preflight including wx briefing. Departed kspa (spartansburg SC) for X35 (marion C0UNTY airport) at 12:20Z with 18… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 17, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94204. 473 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 260 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459014&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 213 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446600&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.