Summary
On October 07, 1995, a Vans RV-6T (N96VA) was involved in an incident near North Plains, OR. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: 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.
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.
This incident is documented in NTSB report SEA96LA004. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N96VA.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
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.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
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.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# SEA96LA004