# Accident 20171112019129A: Vanderark Jan R RV-10, Sun Lakes, AZ, November 12, 2017

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 12, 2017, 10:15 local time
- Place: Sun Lakes, AZ
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Climb
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 33.2428° N, 111.9264° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2428&lon=-111.9264&mi=10
- Aircraft: N917VA, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N917VA) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Vanderark Jan R RV-10 (registry code 0563237, https://openairdocs.org/model/vanderark-jan-r-rv-10) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG (registry code 99999, https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: VANDERARK JAN R RV-10
- Reported engine: CHEVROLET LS1
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR18LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA030) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171112019129A

## Narrative

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

THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A SMELL OF ANTI FREEZE AS HE FLEW THRU 4000' AND NOTICED HIS TEMP GAGE IN THE RED. HE INITIATED A TURN BACK TO CHANDLER AIRPORT AND ULTIMATELY LANDED IN THE DESERT WITH NO INJURIES. THE PILOT BELIVED THE ENGINE MAY HAVE SHUT OFF DUE TO THE OVER TEMP, THE ENGINE IS A GM LS1, COMMONLY USED IN THE CORVETTE. UPON INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT IT WAS OBSERVED THAT THE MAIN SERPENTINE BELT HAD FAILED, IT TURNS THE MAIN WATER PUMP. IT WAS ALSO OBSERVED THAT THE TWO MAIN BOLTS THAT HOLD A SECONDARY ALTERNATOR, USED FOR DEICING WERE SHEARED. AT THIS TIME IT IS NOT CLEAR IF THE BELT FAILED FIRST, OR THE BROKEN BOLTS ALLOWING THE ALTERNATOR TO SHIFT AND THROW THE BELT CAUSED THE WATER PUMP NOT TO TURN. THE ENGINE WAS NOT SEIZED, IT TURNED OVER NORMALLY.

## 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 WPR18LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA030), Nov 12, 2017: Vanderark RV-10 (N917VA), Sun Lakes, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The fatigue fractures of the upper and lower alternator attachment bolts, which decreased the common drive belt tension and resulted in the subsequent in-flight separation of an alternator drive…

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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