# Accident 20140810014739A: Nelson Gene R RV-3M, North Plains, OR, August 10, 2014

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 10, 2014, 12:20 local time
- Place: North Plains, OR
- Airport: North Plains
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 45.6022° N, 123.0214° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6022&lon=-123.0214&mi=10
- Aircraft: N43AZ, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N43AZ-2018-03-14) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Nelson Gene R RV-3M (registry code 05608LP, https://openairdocs.org/model/nelson-gene-r-rv-3m) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NELSON GENE R RV-3M
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR14LA338](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA338) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140810014739A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

THE PIC SAID HE DEPARTED NORTH PLAINS GLIDER PORT (1OR4) AND CLIMBED TO 400 FEET AGL BEFORE STARTING A LEFT TURN.  DURING THE LEFT TURN, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY WENT TO IDLE.  THE PIC SAID THE ENGINE SURGED TWO MORE TIMES THEN QUIT.  THE PIC CONTINUED HIS TURN 180 DEGREES FROM HIS TAKE OFF DIRECTION AND LANDED IN A FIELD.  THE AIRCRAFT LANDED PERPENDICULAR TO THE CROP ROWS CAUSING THE MAIN GEAR TO COLLAPSE UNDERNEATH THE WINGS.

THE FAA ARRIVED 4 HOURS AFTER THE ACCIDENT.  THE FUEL SELECTED WAS SET TO THE RIGHT FUEL TANK.  VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE FUEL TANKS REVEALED THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1-2 INCHES OF FUEL IN THE LEFT FUEL TANK AND NO VISIBLE FUEL IN THE RIGHT FUEL TANK; HOWEVER THE SIDES AND BOTTOM OF THE FUEL TANK WERE MOIST.  THE LEFT FUEL TANK WAS DRIPPING FUEL FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE TANK NEAR THE FUSELAGE.  THERE WAS VISIBLE EVIDENCE THAT FUEL HAD LEAKED OUT FROM RIGHT FUEL TANK.  THE LEADING EDGES OF BOTH WINGS HAD SEVERE VERTICAL CREASES CAUSING A TEAR IN THE METAL.  ALSO, BECAUSE THE MAIN GEAR IS ATTACHED TO THE FUSELAGE/FIRE WALL AREA, IT APPEARED THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR DAMAGED THE FUSELAGE WHERE THE GEAR WAS ATTACHED.

THE PIC SAID HE CHECKED HIS FUEL BEFORE HE DEPARTED AND HAD APPROXIMATELY A HALF TANK OF FUEL IN THE LEFT TANK AND ¾ OF FUEL IN THE RIGHT FUEL TANK.  THE PIC ALSO, INDICATED HE RECENTLY WORKED ON THE CARBURETOR AND HAS FLOWN THE AIRCRAFT A FEW TIMES WITH NO PROBLEMS SINCE HE WORKED ON THE CARBURETOR.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB WPR14LA338](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA338), Aug 10, 2014: Nelson RV 3M (N43AZ), North Plains, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons which resulted in a landing gear collapse during the precautionary landing to a field.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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