# NTSB NYC96LA021: Bischoff VAN RV-6, N9234B, Monticello, NY, October 31, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 31, 1995, 15:21 local (20:21 UTC) - Place: Monticello, NY - Coordinates: 41.649993, -74.680694 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6500&lon=-74.6807&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 29, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39121 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC96LA021 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39121/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96LA021 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper inflight decision to continue flight without sufficient fuel, which resulted in a loss of power due to fuel exhaustion. ## 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 - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot departed with 10 gallons of fuel onboard and with the intention of refueling at a nearby airport. After he arrived at the airport, instead of refueling, he remained in the traffic pattern and performed touch-and-go landings. After the fifth landing, the engine lost power while the airplane was on initial climb and struck trees during a forced landing. No evidence of a fuel spill or fuel odor was observed by those, who responded to the site. The airplane had been airborne for about 50 to 55 minutes, when the power loss occurred. ## Factual narrative On October 31, 1995, at 1521 eastern standard time, a Vans RV-6, N9234B, an experimental, homebuilt airplane, was destroyed during a forced landing, after takeoff from the Sullivan Airport, Monticello, New York. The commercial pilot and passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight, which departed about 1 minute earlier, and which was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In the NTSB Accident Report, the pilot stated: Practiced landings on runway 33. After a go around during climb out at an estimated 400 feet AGL the engine quit. A turn about 100 degrees to the left was made attempting an emergency landing on a small country road. A utility pole was to the right and tree to the left. Before touch down the left wing contacted the tree. The aircraft impacted the ground with right wing and nose and flipped over on its back coming to rest on the side of the road. In a telephone interview, the FAA Operations Inspector who traveled to the scene reported that the pilot departed from Montgomery, with the intention of refueling at Monticello. Once he arrived at Monticello, he remained in the traffic pattern and performed touch and go landings. After about five landings, the engine lost power on the climb, and the airplane struck trees on the forced landing. The pilot had departed with about 10 gallons of fuel on board, and had been airborne for about 50 to 55 minutes when the power loss occurred. There was no evidence of fuel in the tank at impact. There was no evidence of fuel on the ground, and no odor of fuel at the site. When the airplane was turned over, only a couple of ounces of fuel were visible. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9234B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9234B), registered now, S/N 20047, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BISCHOFF VAN RV-6 - Registry model: [Bischoff Otto M VANS RV-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/bischoff-otto-m-vans-rv-6) (registry code 05624CW) (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: 20047 - Airframe hours: 89 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Otto M. Bishoff - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 30, 1994, 89 hours before - Departed: MSV, MONTGOMERY, NY - Airport: MSV, Sullivan County Intl, runway 33, 6,300 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,182 total, 89 in this make and model, 1,011 as pilot in command, 68 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MSV ## 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 19951031049619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951031049619A), Oct 31, 1995: Amtr VANSRV6, Monticello, NY, Destroyed. (-16) Pilot doing touch and goes. Take off, aircraft reached approximately four hundred feet (400 ft) altitude, engine lost power and stopped. Pilot… 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.