# NTSB SEA83LA159: Vangrunsven RV-3, N17RV, Twin Falls, ID, July 28, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 28, 1983, 12:10 local (18:10 UTC)
- Place: Twin Falls, ID
- Coordinates: 42.40987, -114.590972 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4099&lon=-114.5910&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39739
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83LA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39739/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83LA159

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE HOME BUILT PLANE WAS ONE OF A FLT OF FOUR ACFT THAT WERE BEING FLOWN ON A CROSS-COUNTRY FLT. WHILE EN ROUTE FROM HILLSBORO, OR TO TWIN FALLS, ID, THE PILOTS HAD TO DIVERT AROUND WEATHER. AS THEY WERE APPROACHING TWIN FALLS, N17RV LOST POWER FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE ARPT, SO HE LANDED IN A WHEAT FIELD WHERE THE ACFT NOSED OVER. REPORTEDLY, A STRIP OF WHEAT, 20 FT WIDE BY 150 FT LONG, WAS DAMAGED. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE HAD NEVER KNOWN THE ACFT TO USE MORE THAN 7.5 GAL/HR, BUT ON THIS FLT IT HAD BURNED 8.2 GAL/HR. HE NOTED THAT AFTER A RECENT TOP OVERHAUL, THE ACFT HAD ADDITIONAL POWER & AIRSPEED. THE ACFT HAD ACCUMULATED 9 HRS SINCE THE OVERHAUL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N17RV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N17RV), registered now, S/N 173, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: VANGRUNSVEN RV-3
- Registry model: [Vangrunsven RV-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/vangrunsven-rv-3) (registry code 0562054) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 173
- Airframe hours: 1030
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-G 130 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hugh S. Mosely
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 4, 1983, 9 hours before
- Departed: H10, HILLSBORO, OR
- Destination: TWF, TWIN FALLS, ID

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 602 total, 85 in this make and model, 388 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 35° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TWF, 5 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 19830728035839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830728035839A), Jul 28, 1983: Amtrvn VANSRV3, Twin Falls, ID, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. Landed in a wheat field and aircraft nosed over. Higher than normal fuel burn reported.

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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