# NTSB LAX05LA309: Thomas RV4, N3882N, Kernville, CA, September 21, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 21, 2005, 08:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Kernville, CA - Coordinates: 35.728332, -118.419723 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7283&lon=-118.4197&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report August 29, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 62519 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05LA309 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62519/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA309 ## Probable cause a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation caused by the pilot's failure to select a tank containing fuel for takeoff. A factor in the accident was the lack of a runway overrun area beyond the departure end of the runway. ## 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 - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - airport facilities,runway overrun area - not available (contributing factor) - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane collided with obstacles off the departure end of the runway following a loss of engine power in the takeoff initial climb. The airplane took off and reached an altitude of 30 feet when the engine and propeller stopped. The airplane touched down about 150 feet from the end of the runway, overran the pavement, and collided with multiple obstacles. Examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel selector was in the left tank position. The right wing fuel tank filler cap was removed and the tank was observed to be nearly full. The left wing had partially separated from the wing root and the fuel line was broken at that location. The left wing fuel tank filler cap was removed and the tank was observed to be nearly empty. When the left wing was tilted, approximately 1 quart of fluid was observed to drain out. There was no visual evidence or odor of fuel in the ground beneath the left wing. An Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) mechanic examined the airplane's fuel system and reported that there was no fuel found in the fuel line between the engine driven fuel pump and the carburetor. He found about a teaspoon of fuel in the carburetor bowl. He operated the electric fuel pump successfully and disassembled the engine driven fuel pump, noting no peculiarities and an intact diaphragm. ## Factual narrative On September 21, 2005, at 0800 Pacific daylight time, a Thomas RV4, N3882N, lost engine power during takeoff and collided with obstacles off the departure end of the runway at Kern Valley Airport, Kernville, California. The commercial pilot operated the experimental category airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot was seriously injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was originating at the time destined for Trona, California. Witnesses reported seeing the airplane takeoff and reach an altitude of 30 feet when the engine and propeller stopped. The airplane touched down about 150 feet from the end of the runway and continued on its course beyond the end of the runway, stuck a rock outcropping, became airborne, traveled 300 feet, and came to rest in flat sand and grass terrain. Examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel selector was in the left tank position. The right wing fuel tank filler cap was removed and the tank was observed to be nearly full. The left wing had partially separated from the wing root and the fuel line was broken at that location. The left wing fuel tank filler cap was removed and the tank was observed to be nearly empty. When the left wing was tilted, approximately 1 quart of fluid was observed to drain out. There was no visual evidence or odor of fuel in the ground beneath the left wing. The pilot's son, who is an Airframe & Power plant (A&P) mechanic, examined the airplane's fuel system and reported that there was no fuel found in the fuel line between the engine driven fuel pump and the carburetor. He found about a teaspoon of fuel in the carburetor bowl. He operated the electric fuel pump successfully and disassembled the engine driven fuel pump noting no peculiarities and an intact diaphragm. Investigators noted that the runway is 3,500 feet in length and that there is no runway overrun area provided. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3882N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3882N-2017-06-21), registration cancelled 2017-06-21, S/N 62, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Thomas RV4 - Registry model: [Thomas John L VANS RV-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/thomas-john-l-vans-rv-4) (registry code 05608T5) (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: 62 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Thomas C Rupe - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, December 1, 2004 - Departed: L05, Kernville, CA - Destination: L72, Trona, CA - Airport: L05, Kern Valley, runway 17, 3,500 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: serious; private, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; seat: front; flight hours: 3,600 total, 300 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: KBLF ## 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 20050921020869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050921020869A), Sep 21, 2005: Amtr VANSRV4, Kernville, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) After takeoff from runway 17 at L05, the engine failed. The aircraft had climbed to approximately 40 feet above the runway and had used approx 1/2 of the… 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.