N968TP

Substantial
None

TACCHI TORELLO F VANS AIRCRAFT RV10S/N: 40031

Accident Details

Date
Sunday, October 30, 2011
NTSB Number
ERA12CA055
Location
Folkston, GA
Event ID
20111031X61401
Coordinates
30.791110, -82.023612
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

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

Aircraft Information

Registration
N968TP
Make
TACCHI TORELLO F
Serial Number
40031
Year Built
2011
Model / ICAO
VANS AIRCRAFT RV10

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
TACCHI TORELLO F
Address
15312 CAPE DR S
Status
Deregistered
City
JACKSONVILLE
State / Zip Code
FL 32226-1272
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot stated that prior to departing on the one-hour flight, he added 5 gallons of fuel to both left and right fuel tanks, and visually estimated the total fuel on board to be 23 gallons. Approximately 4 minutes from the destination airport, the engine began to sputter. The pilot noticed that the right fuel tank gauge indicated empty, and the left indicated one-quarter full. The pilot then switched the fuel selector from the right tank to the left, but the engine continued to sputter, and the pilot selected a field to perform a forced landing. The airplane landed between two trees, resulting in substantial damage to both left and right wings. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA12CA055