NTSB Factual Report

On September 11, 2012, about 0830 central daylight time, an amateur-built Halderman RV 6A airplane, N464EH, impacted a fence and trees during a forced landing following a complete loss of engine power after takeoff from the Eldon Model Airport, Eldon, Missouri. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The aircraft was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on a flight plan. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.

In a telephone interview, the pilot/builder of the airplane  reported that the purpose of the flight was to ascertain the unusable fuel quantity in the right wing fuel tank. He said that his intent was to fly the airplane on the right fuel tank until the engine gave signs that it was running out of fuel and then switch to the left wing fuel tank which contained more fuel. He said that he had done this previously on other airplanes that he had built to get an accurate in-flight fuel gauge indication of the low fuel state. He said that on the accident flight, he took off on the right tank and as he made a climbing turn after takeoff the engine stopped producing power and the airplane stalled. He lowered the nose, leveled the wings, and selected a field in which to make a forced landing. Upon landing the airplane hit a fence and trees at the edge of the field.

Examination of the airplane after the accident revealed that the right wing fuel tank contained approximately two gallons of fuel. The left wing fuel tank was about 1/2 full. A postaccident examination of the airplane and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power.