# NTSB SEA07CA083: Duffy/Wagner Vans RV-4, N423DW, Ogden, UT, March 24, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 24, 2007, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Ogden, UT
- Coordinates: 41.196109, -112.012222
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1961&lon=-112.0122&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 29, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65481
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07CA083
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65481/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA083

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate fuel management resulting in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.  A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel management - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he was approaching the airport to land after a local flight of about 1 hour when the airplane's engine lost power.  The pilot attempted to restart the engine without success.  He executed a forced landing in a hay field.  The airplane touched down near the end of the field and encountered a ditch at the edge of the field.  The firewall was wrinkled, and the left wing tip was damaged.  According to the pilot, the engine lost power due to fuel starvation when the left tank ran dry.  He stated that the accident could have been prevented if he had switched tanks earlier to the right tank which contained 5 to 6 gallons of fuel.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he was approaching the airport to land after a local flight of about 1 hour when the airplane's engine lost power.  The pilot attempted to restart the engine without success.  He executed a forced landing in a hay field.  The airplane touched down near the end of the field and encountered a ditch at the edge of the field.  The firewall was wrinkled, and the left wing tip was damaged.  According to the pilot, the engine lost power due to fuel starvation when the left tank ran dry.  He stated that the accident could have been prevented if he had switched tanks earlier to the right tank which contained 5 to 6 gallons of fuel.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N423DW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N423DW), registered now, S/N 3621, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Duffy/Wagner Vans RV-4
- Registry model: [Duffy Jim/Wagner Phil VANS RV-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/duffy-jim-wagner-phil-vans-rv-4) (registry code 05617NO) (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: 3621
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2A reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: OGD, Ogden, UT
- Destination: OGD
- Airport: OGD, Ogden-Hinckley

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 1,814 total, 201 in this make and model, 14 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20070324003359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070324003359A), Mar 24, 2007: Amtr VANSRV4, Ogden, UT, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot did not verify fuel required for the flight with reserve prior to 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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