Van's RV8 N421RT

Summary

On 4 December 2021 at about 22:30 local time, a Van's RV8 registered N421RT was involved in an accident near Wichita Falls, 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

4 December 2021 at 22:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Wichita Falls, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Wichita Valley Airport (F14)

Coordinates

33.9043, -98.5095

Aircraft

Van's RV8

Registration

N421RT

Category

Airplane

Year built

2010

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Frederick → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN22LA071

2 people were seriously injured.

The pilot’s improper fuel management that resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot-rated passenger, who was the airplane owner/builder, stated while the airplane was returning to the departure airport for landing, there was a total loss of engine power on final approach. The pilot performed a forced landing and the airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed there was useable fuel in the left fuel tank, and there was no useable fuel in the right fuel tank. There were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The loss of engine power was consistent with fuel starvation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.