Van'S Aircraft RV-8 accident near Horseshoe Bay, Texas, February 15, 2019
On February 15, 2019 at about 10:00 pm local time, a 2002 Van'S Aircraft RV-8, an amateur-built aircraft,, registered N737MC, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Horseshoe Bay, Texas (Horseshoe Bay Resort airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 15, 2019 · about 10:00 pm local time
- Place
- Horseshoe Bay, Texas · Horseshoe Bay Resort · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Van'S Aircraft RV-8, built 2002, amateur-built · all RV-8s on the register
- Registration
- N737MC · registry record · serial 81464
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he departed on the multi-leg flight with both tanks filled to capacity, for a total of 43 gallons. The airplane consumed 11 to 12 gallons of fuel during the first leg, then consumed another 11 during the second leg. Shortly after departing on the third leg of the flight, the engine lost total power. The pilot performed a forced landing, during which the airplane sustained substantial damage. Examination of the airplane revealed that both fuel tanks were breached during the accident; there was no fuel remaining in the tanks, nor was any evidence of fuel present at the site. There were no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane or engine. A fuel flow indicating device displayed 17.8 gallons of fuel remaining and 23.2 gallons of fuel used. The unit depended on the pilot’s input of the fuel onboard before the beginning of the flight. Based on the pilot’s statement that the airplane’s fuel tanks contained full fuel before the initial takeoff and that the fuel flow device was programmed with the proper amount of fuel, the airplane should have had about 17 gallons of fuel remaining for the last leg of the flight. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available information.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during takeoff defining event
- Unknown or undetermined during takeoff
- Attempted remediation/recovery during takeoff
- Collision during takeoff/land during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 26,522 hours in all; 1,545 in this make and model; 38 in the last 90 days; 14 in the last 30 days; 20,102 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: December 14, 2018
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,600 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, April 24, 2018
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming Engines YIO-360-A1B6 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: DZB Horseshoe Bay TX at 10:00 pm
- Destination: 3R9 Lakeway TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 35, 5,977 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 14 knots, gusting 21
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 28.60 inHg
- Observation at 10:15 pm from KDZB, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number CEN19LA091.