30 Oct 2011: TACCHI TORELLO F VANS AIRCRAFT RV10 — TACCHI TORELLO F

30 Oct 2011: TACCHI TORELLO F VANS AIRCRAFT RV10 — TACCHI TORELLO F

No fatalities • Folkston, GA, United States

Probable cause

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

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

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.

Contributing factors

  • cause Pilot
  • cause Fluid level

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 070/17kt, vis 10sm

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