Root RV-4 N901ER

Summary

On 19 July 2004 at about 17:05 local time, a Root RV-4 registered N901ER was involved in an accident near Buckley, Washington, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

19 July 2004 at 17:05

Classification

Accident

Location

Buckley, Washington, United States

Coordinates

47.1550, -122.0886

Aircraft

Root RV-4

Registration

N901ER

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Buckley → Puyallup

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA04LA137

1 person was seriously injured.

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.