Probable cause
The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection and fuel planning which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
NTSB analysis
The private pilot reported that he did not visually check the fuel quantity in the two wing fuel tanks before takeoff. While the airplane was on final approach to land, with the right-wing fuel tank selected, the engine stopped producing power. The airplane impacted a corn field about ½ mile away from the airport. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount and the left wing. A postaccident examination revealed that the right-wing fuel tank was empty.
A Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspector stated that the pilot admitted to “running out of gas.”
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN21LA365 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 1, 2021
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Urbana, Ohio
- Nearest airport
- Grimes Fld (I74)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built RV6
- N-number
- N443JB
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1989
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.