Van's RV-8 N737MC

Summary

On 15 February 2019 at about 22:00 local time, a Van's RV-8 registered N737MC was involved in an accident near Horseshoe Bay, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 February 2019 at 22:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Horseshoe Bay, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Horseshoe Bay Resort (DZB)

Coordinates

30.5431, -98.3544

Aircraft

Van's RV-8

Registration

N737MC

Category

Airplane

Year built

2002

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Horseshoe Bay → Lakeway

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN19LA091

2 people were seriously injured.

A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he departed on the multi-leg flight with both tanks filled to capacity, for a total of 43 gallons. The airplane consumed 11 to 12 gallons of fuel during the first leg, then consumed another 11 during the second leg. Shortly after departing on the third leg of the flight, the engine lost total power. The pilot performed a forced landing, during which the airplane sustained substantial damage. Examination of the airplane revealed that both fuel tanks were breached during the accident; there was no fuel remaining in the tanks, nor was any evidence of fuel present at the site. There were no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane or engine. A fuel flow indicating device displayed 17.8 gallons of fuel remaining and 23.2 gallons of fuel used. The unit depended on the pilot’s input of the fuel onboard before the beginning of the flight. Based on the pilot’s statement that the airplane’s fuel tanks contained full fuel before the initial takeoff and that the fuel flow device was programmed with the proper amount of fuel, the airplane should have had about 17 gallons of fuel remaining for the last leg of the flight. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available information.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.