Amateur-built Vans RV9A accident near Westport, Washington, August 7, 2004
On August 7, 2004 at about 10:00 pm local time, a amateur-built Vans RV9A, registered N3086J, was substantially damaged in an accident near Westport, Washington (Westport Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's improper fuel management. Carburetor icing conditions and trees were a factor.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 7, 2004 · about 10:00 pm local time
- Place
- Westport, Washington · Westport Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Vans RV9A
- Registration
- N3086J · no longer on the register · serial 90325
- 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 he departed from his departure point with about 28 gallons of fuel. About 30 miles out from landing at his destination, the pilot noted that the fuel gage for the right tank (tank selected) was indicating about 2.5 gallons of fuel. When the flight reached the airport, the pilot flew a low downwind to check out the sand bar north of the airport as he and his passenger were planning on fishing in that area. The pilot then turned back to the airport and set-up for a landing on runway 30. The pilot reported that while on downwind, the engine started running rough, the rpm decreased, and the engine subsequently quit. The pilot initiated a forced landing just short of the runway. During the descent, the aircraft collided with trees and the ground. The pilot further stated that carburetor icing conditions were present in the area, however, he had not been utilizing carburetor heat prior to the loss of power. Inspection of the wreckage found that the right fuel tank was empty of fuel, while the left fuel tank still contained 15 gallons. The pilot reported that he had been operating off of the right fuel tank at the time of the loss of power. Inspection of the engine noted that the primer lines, fuel outlet line from the fuel pump and the carburetor bowl were void of fuel.
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
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 160 hours in all; 40 in this make and model; 40 in the last 90 days; 100 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 5, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 68 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 16, 2004; 40 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320H-2AD (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: EUG Eugene OR at 8:30 pm
- Destination: 14S Westport WA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 30, 2,250 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.26 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm from HQM, 8 miles away
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.