# NTSB LAX92LA403: Golightly, Robert B. RV4, N321RG, Rialto, CA, September 26, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 26, 1992, 10:55 local (17:55 UTC)
- Place: Rialto, CA
- Coordinates: 34.099662, -117.380363 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0997&lon=-117.3804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27777
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA403
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27777/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA403

## Probable cause

FUEL STARVATION DUE TO THE PILOT'S IMPROPER MANAGEMENT OF THE FUEL SYSTEM, AND HIS FAILURE TO PERFORM THE EMERGENCY PROCEDURE OF REPOSITIONING THE FUEL SELECTOR TO A TANK CONTAINING FUEL.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable (cause)

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL FLIGHT THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE CRUISING AT 6500 FEET MSL.  THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN THE UNEVEN AND ROUGH TERRAIN OF AN OPEN FIELD.  THE AIRPLANE WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING THE LANDING TOUCHDOWN.  THE CRASH SITE ELEVATION WAS ABOUT 1455 FEET MSL.  THE PILOT INDICATED THAT THE POWER LOSS HAD RESULTED FROM HIS IMPROPER FUEL MANAGEMENT.  ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE HAD '...[RUN] THE ENGINE OUT OF FUEL' AND HAD FAILED TO SWITCH FUEL TANKS TO A TANK CONTAINING FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N321RG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GOLIGHTLY, ROBERT B. RV4
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1044
- Airframe hours: 16
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2C 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert B. Golightly
- Registered owner: Robert B. Golightly
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 2, 2000, 5 hours before
- Departed: POC, LA VERNE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 685 total, 16 in this make and model, 628 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 100 °F

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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