Allen Robert RV6 N399DC

Summary

On 10 October 2016 at about 15:00 local time, a Allen Robert RV6 registered N399DC was involved in an accident near Ocala, Florida, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

10 October 2016 at 15:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Ocala, Florida, United States

Coordinates

29.1661, -82.2231

Aircraft

Allen Robert RV6

Registration

N399DC

Category

Airplane

Year built

1999

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Spartanburg → Dunnellon

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA17CA022

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's improper fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, a total loss of engine power, and a forced landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he did not fill the fuel tanks before departing and while en-route the left fuel tank was exhausted and he switched to the right fuel tank. Upon reaching 3,000 feet during the descent to the destination airport, the right fuel tank was exhausted and the engine lost power. The pilot reported that when the engine lost power, the "fuel totalizer showed 30 minutes of fuel remaining, but both fuel level sender units read zero". The pilot reported that he realized the airplane would not glide to the intended airport and opted to land on a driveway at a local farm. During the forced landing the airplane struck wood and metal fence posts before the right main wheel dug into the grass and spun the airplane approximately 90 degrees to the right. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing spar. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.