NTSB Factual Report

On February 25, 2001, approximately 1430 Pacific standard time, an experimental Gibbs V-6 STOL, N230VG, experienced a gear collapse during a hard off-field forced landing near Chehalem Airstrip, Newberg, Oregon. The private pilot and his four passengers were not injured, but the aircraft, which is owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal pleasure flight, which departed Toledo State Airport, Newport, Oregon, about 30 minutes earlier, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed.

According to the pilot, he was planning to burn the right tank down to about two gallons and then switch to the other tank. While en route, he forgot to change the selector to the other tank, and as he turned base in the VFR pattern for Chehalem, the engine lost power and the propeller stopped turning. The pilot switched to the left tank, which was about one-half full, but was unable to get the engine started prior to reaching an altitude at which it was necessary to abandon the restart attempt and concentrate on making a forced landing. During the forced landing attempt, the pilot allowed the aircraft to descend into the ground at an excessive rate, resulting in a collapse of the main gear. A post-accident inspection of the right tank found that it was empty.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's mismanagement of his available fuel, the fuel starvation of the engine, and the pilot's excessive rate of descent during the touchdown portion of a power-off forced landing.