Amateur-built RV-4 accident near Mcckinney, Texas, November 11, 1995
On November 11, 1995 at about 11:35 pm local time, a amateur-built RV-4, registered N30RV, was destroyed in an accident near Mcckinney, Texas (Aero Country 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
the pilot's failure to refuel the airplane which led to a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, and the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 11, 1995 · about 11:35 pm local time
- Place
- Mcckinney, Texas · Aero Country · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV-4
- Registration
- N30RV · registry record · serial 1828
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that after leveling off at 1,800 feet MSL, and during a left turn, the engine lost total power. During the emergency descent the airplane stalled twice prior to impacting the ground. A witness observed the airplane 'losing altitude fast' and 'leveling off just prior to' ground impact. Postaccident examination revealed that the right wing main fuel tank did not have usable fuel, and the fuel in the left tank measured 1/2 inch on a measuring stick. The fuel selector handle was found in the 'right main open' position, and both fuel quantity gauges indicated near empty.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,000 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme
- Maximum gross weight: 1,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TX05 at 11:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: night, bright
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.