# Accident 20180607007249A: Van'S RV-4, Butler, PA, June 7, 2018

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 7, 2018, 11:00 local time
- Place: Butler, PA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 40.7561° N, 79.9506° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7561&lon=-79.9506&mi=10
- Aircraft: N7765X, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7765X-2021-07-31) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Axelrad Michael R VANS AIRCRAFT RV-4 (registry code 056339Z, https://openairdocs.org/model/axelrad-michael-r-vans-aircraft-rv-4) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: GM ECO TEC 2.4L (registry code 30900, https://openairdocs.org/engine/gm-eco-tec-2-4l) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: VAN'S RV-4
- Reported engine: GENERAL MOTORS L-61
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 412 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA18LA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA163) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180607007249A

## Narrative

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

DURING CLIMBOUT FROM KBTP, ENGINE LOST POWER. PILOT LOCATED A FIELD AND LANDED STRIKING A FENCE AND BRUSH. ENGINE WAS AUTOMOTIVE AND HAD PREVIOUS HISTORY OF LOSS OF ENGINE POWER/PISTON BURN THROUGH, COOLING PROBLEMS, AND STARTING PROBLEMS. THIS WAS THE FIRST FLIGHT AFTER ALL FOUR PISTONS WERE REPLACED. PILOT STATED THAT THE FUEL COMPUTER WAS PROGRAMMED WITH SOFTWARE THAT HE AUTHORED AND HE CHANGED THE FUEL MAPPING SCHEDULE. THE PILOT STATED THAT THIS RESULTED IN A MIXTURE THAT WAS TOO LEAN.

DAMAGE CONSISTED OF: IMPACT DAMAGE TO LEADING EDGE OF RIGHT WING (MIDSPAN 15 INCHES REARWARD AND APPROXIMATELY 12 INCHES WIDE), IMPACT DAMAGE TO LEFT WING TIP. MAIN GEAR BENT REARWARD AND IT APPEARS TO HAVE IMPACTED LOWER WING SURFACE. STRONG ODOR OF FUEL PRESENT.

## 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 ERA18LA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA163), Jun 7, 2018: Vans RV4 (N7765X), Butler, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper decision to fly the airplane with a known engine problem and his improper modification of the engine control unit fuel delivery software, which led to the engine running too lean…

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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