Amateur-built RV-6 accident near Bellingham, Washington, April 29, 2003
On April 29, 2003 at about 4:15 pm local time, a amateur-built RV-6, registered N239D, was substantially damaged in an accident near Bellingham, Washington. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate in flight decision by failing to refuel while en route, resulting in fuel exhaustion and the loss of power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 29, 2003 · about 4:15 pm local time
- Place
- Bellingham, Washington · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV-6
- Registration
- N239D · no longer on the register · serial 20445
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot departed Blaine, Washington, with what he estimated was 15 gallons of fuel aboard and flew to a local field approximately 35 miles distant where he executed multiple touch and go landings. Although fuel was available at the touch and go field he did not refuel the aircraft. While en route to his point of origination, and approximately 90 minutes after his initial departure the engine stopped operating. The pilot executed an off airport emergency landing in a wetlands area coming to rest inverted. Post crash examination found no evidence of fuel at the accident site and a test run of the aircraft's engine was satisfactorily completed following the accident. The pilot reported to an FAA inspector after the accident that he had run out of gas.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land
- Flight time: 10,500 hours in all; 507 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: April 10, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 506 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 14, 2002; 27 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A1A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 4W6 Blaine WA at 2:45 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 29.85 inHg
- Observation at 4:30 pm from BLI, 2 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.