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| Date: | Tuesday 1 July 2025 |
| Time: | C. 18:00 LT |
| Type: |  Van’s RV-6A |
| Owner/operator: | Private |
| Registration: | C-FYFD |
| MSN: | 001 |
| Engine model: | Lycoming O-320 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | near Courtenay Airpark, BC (YCA) -
 Canada
|
| Phase: | Take off |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | |
| Courtenay Airport, BC (YCA) | |
| Investigating agency: | TSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Information verified through data from accident investigation authorities |
A privately registered Van's RV-6A departed Duncan Aerodrome (CAM3), BC, on a recreational flight, under visual flight rules, to Courtenay Airpark (CAH3), BC, with 1 pilot, and 1 passenger on board. Prior to departure, the aircraft fuel gauges indicated 12 US gallons of fuel. After approximately 30 minutes of flight, while approaching CAH3, the aircraft experienced an engine (Avco Lycoming O-320) power loss due to fuel exhaustion. A forced approach was conducted and the aircraft landed on a mudflat approximately 1 nautical mile east of CAH3. The suspected cause of the fuel exhaustion was reportedly a fuel leak.
The aircraft was fuelled with 5 US gallons of 100LL Avgas which was brought to the aircraft in a jerry can from CAH3.
The pilot subsequently attempted a takeoff from the mudflat, without his passenger, to complete the flight to CAH3. During the takeoff roll on the mudflat, mud accumulated in the wheel fairings of the landing gear. This resulted in the takeoff ground run being longer than anticipated. The aircraft traversed a depression in the surface of the mudflat, approximately 1000 feet from the beginning of the takeoff roll, and the nose gear experienced structural failure. The aircraft nosed-over to an approximately vertical nose-down attitude before falling back onto its main landing gear. The aircraft emergency locator transmitter activated, and a signal was received by the Canadian Mission Control Centre. The pilot was able to exit the aircraft without issue and no injuries were reported. The aircraft was substantially damaged.
Following the occurrence, the aircraft was pushed to the shoreline by the pilot and a number of bystanders. The aircraft was subsequently recovered by a helicopter. A post-crash inspection of the aircraft found that a gasket seal on the carburetor had degraded. This would have allowed fuel to leak when the aircraft engine was running.
Sources:
https://cheknews.ca/came-back-down-no-injuries-after-plane-crashes-in-estuary-near-courtenay-airpark-1264317/
https://www.airhistory.net/photo/815303/C-FYFD (Photo)
Media:
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 02-Jul-2025 17:15 | Justanormalperson | Added |
| 03-Jul-2025 08:53 | vasilf | Updated [Embed code, ] |
| 03-Jul-2025 19:27 | vasilf | Updated [Embed code, ] |
| 18-Jul-2025 17:52 | ASN | Updated [Total occupants, Departure airport, Destination airport, Embed code, Narrative, ] |
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