Amateur-built RV-4 accident near Buckley, Washington, July 19, 2004
On July 19, 2004 at about 5:05 pm local time, a amateur-built RV-4, registered N901ER, was substantially damaged in an accident near Buckley, Washington. 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 pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation during the initial climb after takeoff. The pilot's failure to select the proper fuel tank before takeoff and to maintain airspeed during the forced landing resulting in a hard landing were factors.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 19, 2004 · about 5:05 pm local time
- Place
- Buckley, Washington · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV-4
- Registration
- N901ER · no longer on the register · serial 1620
- 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 shortly after takeoff to the south, the engine lost power. The pilot attempted to briefly trouble shoot the problem, but due to the lack of altitude opted to commit to an off airport landing to an open field. In an attempt to avoid trees and maneuver to the field, the pilot reported that the aircraft stalled. The pilot's son reported to investigators that his father stated that "I knew I had exhausted the left tank the night before. I just forgot to switch to the fullest tank that day." The pilot reported that he had departed with the left fuel tank selected. Inspection of the engine determined that no mechanical failure or malfunction of the engine was noted. The right fuel tank had been compromised and fuel stains were present. It could not be determined if the left fuel tank had been compromised, however, no fuel stains were noted. No fuel was observed when the fuel sumps on either tank were opened. No fuel was present in the fuel gascolator or fuel bowl.
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: 1,500 hours in all; 500 in this make and model; 35 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: November 12, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 875 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 15, 2003; 40 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Buckley WA at 5:00 pm
- Destination: 1S0 Puyallup WA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 20,000 ft; a few clouds at 1,900 ft
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 4:56 pm from SEA, 20 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.