# Accident 20171030016669A: Metcalfe Robert B VANS RV-6, Selma, CA, October 30, 2017

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 30, 2017, 14:20 local time
- Place: Selma, CA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Maneuver
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 36.5725° N, 119.7547° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5725&lon=-119.7547&mi=10
- Aircraft: N88MV, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N88MV-2020-05-08) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Metcalfe Robert B VANS RV-6 (registry code 05608SK, https://openairdocs.org/model/metcalfe-robert-b-vans-rv-6) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-360-A1D (registry code 41504, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: METCALFE ROBERT B VANS RV-6
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-360-A1D
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR18LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA021) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171030016669A

## Narrative

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

ON NOVEMBER 30, 2017, N88MV AN EXPERIMENTAL VANS RV6 DEPARTED FRESNO CHANDLER AIRPORT ( KFCH) FOR A LOCAL FLIGHT.  THE AIRCRAFT HAD JUST BEEN EQUIPPED WITH A NEW AVIONICS PACKAGE INCLUDING AN ELECTRONIC MAGNETO SYSTEM.  ABOUT 15 MINUTES IN THE FLIGHT, THE PILOT DECIDED TO START ITS DECENT BACK TO CHANDLER AIRPORT. THE PILOT NOTICES HIS FEET WERE GETTING HOT BY THE BATTERIES FOLLOWED BY A SUDDEN ENGINE FAILURE.  THE POWER FAILURE WAS SUDDEN AND IMMEDIATE. THE PILOT SELECTED THE NEAREST AIRPORT AND STARTED ITS GLIDE FROM 4000 FT. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED SEVERAL AIR STARTS, BUT OTHER THAN THE STARTER MOTOR ENGAGING, THE ENGINE FAILED TO START.  THE PILOT REALIZED AT ABOUT 1000FT HE WAS UNABLE TO MAKE THE AIRPORT AND PREPARED TO LAND ON A STREET.  UNFORTUNATELY FOR HIM THERE WAS VEHICLE TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD AND HE WAS FORCED TO LAND IN A GRAPE FIELD.  UPON IMPACT THE AIRCRAFT OVERTURNED.     THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED OTHER THAN A CUT ON HIS HAND.

THE ACCIDENT APPREAS TO BE A MECHANICAL FAILURE

## 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 WPR18LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA021), Oct 30, 2017: Metcalfe Robert B Vans RV 6 (N88MV), Selma, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to properly secure an alternator ground cable swage that led to problems with the electrical system and/or electronic engine controls, which resulted in a total loss of engine…

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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