# NTSB LAX91LA175: Snider RV6, N2165U, Paulden, AZ, April 16, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 16, 1991, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Paulden, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.900512, -112.429222 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9005&lon=-112.4292&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 January 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27173
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA175
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27173/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA175

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND HIS FAILURE TO ENSURE THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS PROPERLY POSITIONED FOR FLIGHT.

## 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)
  - fuel supply - not selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT LOST POWER DURING THE TAKEOFF INITIAL CLIMB AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND.  RESPONDING SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES REPORTED THAT THE PILOT SAID HE FORGOT TO TURN ON THE FUEL SELECTOR PRIOR TO TAKEOFF.  EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS IN THE OFF POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2165U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2165U), registered now, S/N 20495 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SNIDER RV6
- Registry model: [Snider Austin T RV-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/snider-austin-t-rv-6) (registry code 05608GE) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 20495
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Austin T. Snider
- Registered owner: Austin T. Snider
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 74; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,245 total, 13 in this make and model, 17 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 65 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19910416011309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910416011309A), Apr 16, 1991: Amtr RV6, Prescott, AZ, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Crash landed. Pilot forgot to turn fuel selector on for takeoff.

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.

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