# NTSB SEA04LA137: Root RV-4, N901ER, Buckley, WA, July 19, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 19, 2004, 10:05 local (17:05 UTC) - Place: Buckley, WA - Coordinates: 47.154998, -122.088607 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1550&lon=-122.0886&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 October 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59685 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA04LA137 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59685/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA137 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation during the initial climb after takeoff. The pilot's failure to select the proper fuel tank before takeoff and to maintain airspeed during the forced landing resulting in a hard landing were factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fuel system,selector/valve - improper (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Hard landing, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - open field ## Analysis The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff to the south, the engine lost power. The pilot attempted to briefly trouble shoot the problem, but due to the lack of altitude opted to commit to an off airport landing to an open field. In an attempt to avoid trees and maneuver to the field, the pilot reported that the aircraft stalled. The pilot's son reported to investigators that his father stated that "I knew I had exhausted the left tank the night before. I just forgot to switch to the fullest tank that day." The pilot reported that he had departed with the left fuel tank selected. Inspection of the engine determined that no mechanical failure or malfunction of the engine was noted. The right fuel tank had been compromised and fuel stains were present. It could not be determined if the left fuel tank had been compromised, however, no fuel stains were noted. No fuel was observed when the fuel sumps on either tank were opened. No fuel was present in the fuel gascolator or fuel bowl. ## Factual narrative On July 19, 2004, at 1005 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Root RV-4, N901ER, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, experienced a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff from Cawleys South Prairie private airstrip, Buckley, Washington. During the off airport forced landing, the aircraft stalled and landed hard in an open field. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the private pilot, the sole occupant, was seriously injured. The pilot reported to a family member that he was taking the aircraft to Puyallup, Washington, for a maintenance visit. Shortly after takeoff to the south, the engine lost power. The pilot attempted to briefly trouble shoot the problem, but due to the lack of altitude opted to commit to an off airport landing to an open field. In an attempt to avoid trees and maneuver to the field, the pilot reported that the aircraft stalled. In a conversation with the pilot's son on July 23, 2004, the son reported that his father stated that "I knew I had exhausted the left tank the night before. I just forgot to switch to the fullest tank that day." The pilot reported that he had departed with the left fuel tank selected. Inspection of the engine by investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration on July 23, 2004, it was determined that no mechanical failure or malfunction of the engine was noted. The right fuel tank had been compromised and fuel stains were present. It could not be determined if the left fuel tank had been compromised, however, no fuel stains were noted. No fuel was observed when the fuel sumps on either tank were opened. No fuel was present in the fuel gascolator or fuel bowl. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N901ER](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N901ER-2005-02-02), registration cancelled 2005-02-02, S/N 1620, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Root RV-4 - Registry model: [Root Earl S RV-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/root-earl-s-rv-4) (registry code 05608FF) (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: 1620 - Airframe hours: 875 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Earl S. Root - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 15, 2003, 40 hours before - Departed: Buckley, WA - Destination: 1S0, Puyallup, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review November 12, 2002; seat: front; flight hours: 1,500 total, 500 in this make and model, 35 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: SEA, 20 nm away ## 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 20040719014399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040719014399A), Jul 19, 2004: Amtr RV4, South Prairie, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) On July 19th 2004 at 10:30 am Mr. Earl root departed cawley (south prarie) WA. Private airstrip in his RV-4 aircraft. Mr. Root departed to the south on… 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.