Amateur-built VANS RV8 accident near San Angelo, Texas, May 27, 2021
On May 27, 2021 at about 11:25 pm local time, a amateur-built VANS RV8, registered N274CV, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near San Angelo, Texas (Mathis Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the installation of a reduced flow fitting in the fuel line to the carburetor by maintenance personnel.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 27, 2021 · about 11:25 pm local time
- Place
- San Angelo, Texas · Mathis Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built VANS RV8
- Registration
- N274CV · no longer on the register · serial 81039
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Shortly after takeoff, the pilot reported an “engine failure” to the airport tower controller. The airplane impacted terrain off the end of the runway. The airplane came to rest upright, with substantial damage to the fuselage and wings during the accident. The airplane had undergone maintenance with the installation of a new glass panel system, and the accident flight was the first flight after the installation. The avionic shop drained about 40 gallons of fuel from the tanks and added the fuel back for calibration. The installation of the glass panel also added a fuel flow transducer tothe fuel line, between the pressure side of the engine driven fuel pump and carburetor. The engine-driven fuel pump outflow fitting had two fittings installed. The 3/8’s port was capped off with an AN929 fitting. The other port had a number 4 reduced flow fitting installed in the fuel line leading to the carburetor (through the fuel flow transducer). The reduced flow fitting would have prevented sufficient fuel flow to the carburetor once the fuel in the carburetor was consumed. The accident is consistent with the loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
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
- Aircraft maintenance event during prior to flight
- Fuel starvation during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Installation › Maintenance personnel
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel distribution › Incorrect service/maintenance
- Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Incorrect service/maintenance
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Medical certificate: BasicMed (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 600 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, September 3, 2020
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A1A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 8,054 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observation at 6:43 pm from KSJT
Weather report (METAR): SPECI KSJT 272343Z 19003KT 10SM CLR 32/18 A2987 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT NW T03170183
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on December 20, 2021. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Memo | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Engine Examination | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Maintenance Records (Excerpts) | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Photos | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Photo | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.