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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

October 7, 1995 · Vans RV-6T · N96VA

North Plains, OR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 7, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
North Plains, OR
Aircraft
Vans RV-6T
Tail Number
N96VA
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA96LA004

While on approach for landing, the pilot selected the left fuel tank which was indicating more than 3/4 full. About 1/2 mile from the end of the runway, the engine lost all power. The pilot made a forced landing in a field of raspberries, and during the landing flare the aircraft collided with steel fence posts and static wires used to support the raspberries. The left tank was found dry. An internal failure in the left tank fuel quantity sending unit had caused it to give a false indication.

NTSB Probable Cause

Fuel starvation due to the failure of the left tank fuel quantity sending unit which resulted in a false indication of fuel quantity. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Full Narrative

On October 7, 1995, approximately 1445 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Vans RV-6T, N96VA, collided with several objects during a forced landing about one-eighth mile from Sunset Airpark, North Plains, Oregon. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The personal pleasure flight, which departed Gold Beach, Oregon approximately 1315, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed, and the ELT, which was activated by the impact, was turned off at the scene. According to the pilot, he switched to the aircraft's left tank, which indicated more than three-quarters full, while on approach to land at Sunset Airpark. Just over one-half mile from the end of the runway, the engine experienced a complete loss of power. The pilot switched back to the right tank, but because of his close proximity to the ground, he could not get the engine started in time to avoid a forced landing in a field of raspberries. During the landing flare, the aircraft collided with steel fence posts and static wires used to support the berries. It was later determined that the left fuel tank was empty at the time of the accident, but a false fuel quantity indication had been generated by a malfunctioning fuel-quantity sending unit.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:45 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftVans RV-6T
Tail NumberN96VA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D1A · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 28 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data