Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

August 1, 2004 · Drzymala RV-4 · N7XD

Collinsville, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 1, 2004
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Collinsville, TX
Aircraft
Drzymala RV-4
Tail Number
N7XD
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW04LA199

The 625-hour pilot was returning home from a long cross country flight in his single-engine experimental airplane, when the engine stopped producing power approximately 2 hours and 25 minutes after he last fueled. The pilot made a forced landing to a grass field on private property. Examination of the airplane reveled that the fuel tanks were intact and empty. The pilot had recently installed an overhauled engine on the airplane, which burned an average of 11.5 gallons of fuel per hour. The total fuel capacity of the airplane was 32 gallons, and the usable fuel was approximately 31 gallons.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper in-flight planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

Full Narrative

On August 1, 2004, approximately 1625, a Drzymala RV-4 single-engine homebuilt airplane, N7XD, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Collinsville, Texas. The private pilot and the passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. A flight plan was not filed for the cross-country flight that originated at the Allen County Airport (K88) near Iola, Kansas, about 1400, and was destined for the Ironhead Airport (T58) near Sanger, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot departed from Sanger, Texas, on July 24, 2004, and flew to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, to attend the Experimental Aircraft Association's annual fly-in event. He was returning from the fly-in when the accident occurred. A witness observed the airplane flying in a southwesterly direction approximately 200 feet above the ground. The engine was not operating. The airplane then made a 90-degree turn to the east, and descended in an approximate 45-degree nose down attitude. The airplane came to rest upright on the front lawn of a private residence. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, reported that the fuel tanks were empty and not breached. The tanks appeared to be dry, and no residual fuel was found in the main fuel line from the fuel pump to the engine. He also reported that the airplane sustained structural damage. The flaps were set approximately 5-10 degrees, and flight control cable continuity was established for all flight control surfaces. The airplane was powered by an overhauled 180-horsepower Lycoming O-320-E2A engine that was installed just prior to the trip to Oshkosh. There were no logbooks for the engine, which was part of the purchase agreement. Examination of the airfame logbooks revealed the last annual inspection was performed on June 21, 2003, and the airplane had accrued approximately 40 hours since that inspection. Fuel receipts were obtained from locations along the pilot's route of flight. Based on these receipts, it was calculated that the newly installed engine burned approximately 11.5 gallons of fuel per hour. The total fuel capacity of this airplane was 32 gallons, of which, approximately 31 gallons were usable. The pilot purchased 24.6 gallons of fuel in Iola, Kansas, at 1343. The pilot's wife reported that her husband called her just before 1400 and told her that he would be departing soon. The accident occurred approximately 1625. The pilot held a private pilot certificate for airplane single-engine land and was also a certified airframe and powerplant mechanic. His last Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) third class medical was issued on June 11, 2003. At that time, he reported a total of 625 flight hours. At 1653, the automated weather observing system at the Denton Municipal Airport (DTO) near Denton, Texas, located approximately 28 nautical miles south of the site of the accident, reported wind from 100 degrees at 8 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clear skies, temperature 93 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 68 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure setting of 29.99 inches of Mercury.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:25 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDrzymala RV-4
Tail NumberN7XD
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 43 · Third Class · Fatal

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter29.98 inHg
Observation Time21:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data