Overview
On September 29, 2014, at 1510 central daylight time, an experimental-homebuilt Preiss Vans RV-9A, registration N259H, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after the engine lost power approximately 2 miles east of Hobart Regional Airport (HBR), Hobart, Oklahoma. The pilot reported no injuries, while the passenger sustained serious injuries.
Flight Details
The aircraft was registered to and operated by Mexico Medical Missions, Glenwood Springs, Colorado, under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Grove Municipal Airport (GMJ), Grove, Oklahoma, around 1315, with an intended destination of Hobart Regional Airport.
Pilot's Actions and Fuel Management
According to the pilot's accident report and statements to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, preflight calculations indicated sufficient fuel for the flight with a 30-minute reserve. The pilot reported switching fuel tanks every 30 minutes. As the aircraft neared Hobart, the Global Positioning System (GPS) showed an estimated time of arrival (ETA) of 10 minutes, and the fuel monitor indicated 39 minutes of fuel remaining—consistent with preflight estimates.
After depleting the left tank, the pilot switched to the right tank, which displayed 5 gallons remaining. With a fuel consumption rate of 6 gallons per hour, the pilot believed there was adequate fuel to complete the flight. At an ETA of 5 minutes, the fuel monitor indicated 3 gallons remaining in the right tank. Shortly thereafter, while still 2 miles east of HBR, the engine lost power.
Forced Landing and Damage
The pilot executed a forced landing in a field, intentionally allowing the airplane to land hard to avoid an incipient stall. Post-accident inspection revealed crushed nose landing gear, bent main landing gear, and a buckled fuselage.
Post-Accident Findings
A subsequent examination by an FAA inspector found no fuel in the aircraft's tanks. The pilot later stated that the engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion.