On 29 Sep 2017, a VANS RV7 A was involved in an aviation accident near Itasca, TX. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and improper in-flight decision-making, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A pilot continued flying after noticing low fuel, resulting in engine failure and a forced landing that struck a power line, causing substantial damage to the aircraft.
Accident Sequence
A pilot reported that during a preflight inspection, he believed both fuel tanks were full. Based on previous flights, full tanks provided approximately five hours of endurance. About four hours after departure, the pilot observed low fuel quantity on cockpit gauges but continued toward the planned destination. Several minutes later, the engine lost power. The pilot executed a forced landing to a field, during which the airplane impacted a power line and nosed over. The accident resulted in substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage.
Postaccident Findings
Examination after the accident revealed that the airplane's fuel tanks contained no usable fuel. The pilot later stated that he should have landed earlier to refuel. He also discovered that a co-owner had not filled the fuel tanks after the previous flight, contrary to his expectation.