NTSB Factual Report

On July 3, 2004, approximately 1730 Pacific daylight time, an Experimental Aircraft Association WI Chapter 60 experimental airplane, N87TW, was substantially damaged while maneuvering to landing, near Rochester, Washington. The airplane is registered to and operated by a private individual. The private pilot, sole occupant of the aircraft, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight departed from the Olympia Airport (OLM), Olympia, Washington, at 1600, with a destination of Chehalis, Washington

According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that prior to leaving on the first leg of the two-leg flight from Chehalis (CLS), Washington, to OLM, and then returning to CLS, he added 3 gallons of fuel to the 4 gallon tank, which would equate to 1.5 hours of flying time, plus 30 minutes for reserve. The pilot stated that after landing at OLM he checked the fuel and observed that he had used less than 1/2 of the original 3 gallons. The pilot reported that after departing OLM he noticed two airports along his route which would be suitable for future emergency landing sites, Skatter Creek Airport (20WA) and the R & K Skyranch Airport (8W9). The pilot further reported making a "bad decision" by spending "too much air time at 3,500 feet," and "...I just spaced out on the limited fuel on board." The pilot stated that while he was south of 20WA he did one engine shutdown, glided, did an air start and more air work, "...then the fuel tank ran dry." The pilot related that after an attempt to restart the engine failed he headed for 20WA, a 1,800 foot long, 100 foot wide grass airstrip. The pilot stated, "I set up a pattern but misjudged [it] and was about 500 feet too high. 'Ok, use spoilers and slips to get down, but fly it in tight so I have extra altitude. Not enough experience in this beast.' Well, I botched the whole approach; too high and too fast. At mid field and 40 feet above ground level I knew I was going to end up smack against the house and fence ahead at the west end of the field." The pilot reported that there was an unmowed hay field located 45 degrees to the left, which he turned towards, but the airplane's right wing impacted a tree at about eight feet above the ground which he didn't see due to the raised right wing. "The tree slowed me down, rotated the airplane clockwise 90 degrees, so it hit the ground flat going sideways. It continued rotating, ending with about 120 degrees of rotation."

In a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC) conducted three days after the accident on July 6, 2004, the pilot stated that the flight was for familiarization purposes, that he had only 5 hours in the airplane, and that he didn't remember checking the fuel level prior to the flight.

The pilot reported damage to the airplane included leading edge damage to the right wing front spar, the left wing tip and left aileron. The underside of the fuselage was wrinkled behind the cockpit area.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate in-flight decision by failing to refuel, resulting in fuel exhaustion and the loss of power during descent. Factors contributing to the accident included the pilot's lack of experience in the aircraft and the tree.