Amateur-built RV9A N809RD accident near Shepherd, Texas

Probable cause

The pilot’s loss of airplane control during the landing approach after a loss of engine power, which led to a collision with trees and terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight fuel planning, which led to fuel exhaustion and the subsequent loss of engine power.

NTSB analysis

The private pilot had conducted a 1-hour personal flight and was attempting to land the experimental amateur-built airplane. The airplane impacted trees and terrain short of the intended runway. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Examination of the airplane wreckage revealed that the airplane was in an inverted, level attitude at the time of impact. The fuel tanks were ruptured; however, no evidence of fuel spillage or fuel blighting to surrounding vegetation was noted during the on-scene examination, and no fuel was found in the tanks. The departure airport did not have fueling services available at the time of the accident. Based on the available evidence, it is likely that the pilot did not ensure that the gyroplane had adequate fuel for the flight, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a total loss of engine power. Further, it is likely that, while the pilot was attempting to maintain altitude to clear the trees at the approach end of the runway after the loss of engine power, he lost control of the airplane.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN14LA527 for the full record.