# NTSB SEA00LA004: Thomson Vans RV-6, N541JT, Emmett, ID, October 20, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 20, 1999, 16:18 local (22:18 UTC) - Place: Emmett, ID - Coordinates: 43.980438, -116.520454 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9804&lon=-116.5205&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47699 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA00LA004 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47699/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00LA004 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper fuel management, resulting in fuel starvation. A factor was the aircraft's low altitude at the time engine power was lost. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - fuel management - improper, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - altitude - low (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing ## Analysis The pilot reported that while on short final approach at an altitude of approximately 150 feet above ground level, the left fuel tank ran dry and the engine lost power. The pilot switched fuel tanks and attempted to restart the engine. The engine would not start and the pilot performed a forced landing into a pasture. During the forced landing, the right main landing gear and wing were damaged. Post-accident examination disclosed that the aircraft's right fuel tank was full and its left fuel tank was empty. The pilot reported that no mechanical malfunction or failure was involved. ## Factual narrative On October 20, 1999, approximately 1618 mountain daylight time, a Thomson Vans RV-6 experimental amateur-built airplane, N541JT, was substantially damaged in a forced landing in a pasture following a loss of engine power on final approach to runway 28 at the Emmett, Idaho, Municipal Airport. The private pilot, who owned and had built the aircraft, and was its sole occupant, was not injured in the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the 14 CFR 91 local personal flight out of Emmett. In his NTSB accident report, the pilot indicated that he measured the aircraft's fuel level with a dipstick before flight, and that he took off at 1558 with 14 gallons of fuel on board. The pilot reported that at an altitude of approximately 150 feet above ground level, while on short final, the left fuel tank ran dry while on final approach and the engine lost power. The pilot stated he switched fuel tanks and attempted to restart the engine, but that the engine did not start and that he then performed a forced landing into a pasture 1 mile east of the airport. During the landing, the right main landing gear and wing were damaged. A post-accident examination disclosed that the aircraft's right fuel tank was full and its left fuel tank was empty. The pilot indicated on his NTSB accident report that no mechanical malfunction or failure was involved in the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N541JT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N541JT), registered now, S/N 24884, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Thomson VANS RV-6 - Registry model: [Thomson Jim VANS RV6](https://openairdocs.org/model/thomson-jim-vans-rv6) (registry code 056059D) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 24884 - Airframe hours: 94 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-B2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James F. Thomson - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1998, 94 hours before - Departed: S78 - Airport: S78, Emmett Muni, runway 28, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 350 total, 93 in this make and model, 318 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 2 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °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 19991020043109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991020043109A), Oct 20, 1999: Amtr RV6, Emmett, ID, No damage. (-23)After accident inspection of the aircraft revealed left wing fuel tank was dry. Right wing fuel tank was almost full. Pilot stated he was switching tanks… 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.