Amateur-built VANS RV-10 accident near Ridgeland, South Carolina, May 7, 2010
On May 7, 2010 at about 7:11 pm local time, a amateur-built VANS RV-10, registered N110TD, was destroyed in an accident during taxi (from runway) near Ridgeland, South Carolina (Ridgeland Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
An explosion and fire of unknown origin during taxi from landing. Contributing to the accident was the builder's noncompliance with the manufacturer's suggested designed fuel system.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 7, 2010 · about 7:11 pm local time
- Place
- Ridgeland, South Carolina · Ridgeland Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built VANS RV-10
- Registration
- N110TD · no longer on the register · serial 40135
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, while on short final he smelled fuel. While taxiing off the runway after landing, the passenger opened the door to ventilate the airplane. Immediately after opening the door, the cabin was engulfed in an intense fire, which blew out the windows. The pilot said that it was similar to a "vapor fire." The occupants exited the airplane and subsequently the airplane exploded a second time and was consumed by fire. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that the majority of the airplane was consumed by fire. Examination of the airplane revealed the fuel pump had automotive type rubber hoses and quick clamps used to attach the hoses to right angle fittings, instead of the fuel lines made of soft aluminum tubing provided by the kit manufacturer. Although it could not be determined if a fuel leak was caused by a faulty hose or clamp, it is likely that fuel had leaked from the builder's redesigned fuel system. It is also likely that a spark was generated by either the flap motor or from a static discharge. The pilot reported that he normally raises the flaps after clearing the runway, but could not recall if he had raised the flaps just prior to the first explosion.
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
- Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) during approach (VFR pattern final)
- Explosion (non-impact) during taxi (from runway) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 300 hours in all; 135 in this make and model; 14 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 300 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 2, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 150 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, January 2, 2010
- Maximum gross weight: 2,950 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Chevrolet 2006 LS2 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: AHN Athens GA at 6:00 pm
- Destination: 3J1 Ridgeland SC
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 21, 2,692 ft by 70 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observation at 6:56 pm from NBC, 14 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.