Rv-8 in Othello, WA
 

I was flying from Pendleton, OR back home early this afternoon. I always monitor 121.5 and overheard a RV pilot calling for help (N8432). Apparently he had just departed Othello, WA and impacted something on take off and was spewing fuel from his right wing. He needed some where to go so someone could verify his gear was intact so he knew what to expect upon landing.

I quickly punched in a flight plan to Othello, but was already 100 nm west of there so I couldn't help. A Delta pilot was relaying info to the appropriate ATC so he could go somewhere with fire/rescue.

Anybody know the plane/pilot? Just wanted to make sure everything turned out OK for him. Sure is a helpless feeling to hear him on the radio and not be able to assist. I can only imagine how he was feeling, but his voice was calm as can be so I'm hoping for the best.

I have met him, his wife and airplane at Desert Aire where he is based. I will check in with his base friends.

Vincent believes he hit some FOD on take off at Othello that punctured his wing. He let all the fuel run out of that wing and landed at KMWH after declaring an emergency.
He is home safe and will retrieve his -8 soon. First look shows only skin damage.

Great to hear!
 

Glad everything worked out! Thanks for the update. Aircraft can be fixed!

Wow, that?s one heck of an emergency scenario. I?m glad he got it on the ground safely, and hope he?ll come up freq with an outbrief.
How much fuel was left in the other wing once the damaged tank drained?
How much trouble did he have flying the heavy wing?

Bravo to Vincent.

I can report that flying with one tank empty and one full is no problem and I regularly do this. I run auto fuel in the right side and 100LL in the left side. I want to use as much auto fuel as I can and as little 100 as I can, this results in returning home from the Sunday run every week with a nearly empty or even fully empty right side tank while the left side is nearly full.

I would tape over the hole in the damaged tank and fly it home on the good tank.

Auto gas? What type of engine and compression ratio on your cylinders? I thought auto gas was a no-no. Educate me, please.

Yes, he kept a calm head and chose Moses Lake/Grant County for it?s emergency crew just incase.

It was said he planned on bringing his bird home today. They saw no spar damage yesterday.

Great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Search for it here on VAF, you will find lots of information on burning auto fuel.

I have an IO-360-A1A, this is the 8.7 to 1 angle valve engine, it is not approved to operate on anything less than 100 so I use 100 for ground ops, landings and takeoffs then reduced power climb and cruise on the clear 92 auto fuel.