# Accident 20230904022379A: Norris Brown RV-14A, East Bernard, TX, September 4, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 4, 2023, 12:20 local time
- Place: East Bernard, TX
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 29.6143° N, 95.9692° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6143&lon=-95.9692&mi=10
- Aircraft: N14NP, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N14NP) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Norris Brown RV-14A (registry code 056340J, https://openairdocs.org/model/norris-brown-rv-14a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming IO-390 series (registry code 41678, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-390-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NORRIS BROWN RV-14A
- Reported engine: LYCOMING YIO-390
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 740 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN23LA402](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA402) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230904022379A

## Narrative

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

AIRCRAFT WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT 2500 FEET WHEN THE LEFT AND RIGHT BATTERY MESSAGES DISPLAYED INTERMITTENTLY ON PRIMARY ELECTRONIC FLIGHT INFORMATION DISPLAY. THE PILOT WAS TROUBLESHOOTING THE BATTERY MESSAGES WHEN THE SECONDARY ELECTRONIC FLIGHT INFORMATION DISPLAY, GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM, RADIOS, AND TRANSPONDER FAILED. THE PILOT TURNED 180 DEGREES TO RETURN TO HIS HOME AIRPORT. THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO RUN FOR APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES BEFORE COMPLETE ELECTRICAL POWER WAS LOST. THE LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER CAUSED THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION AND ELECTRIC FUEL PUMPS TO STOP FUNCTIONING LEADING TO LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, RESULTING IN AN OFF-AIRPORT LANDING. LEFT, RIGHT, AND NOSE LANDING GEAR BROKE ON IMPACT AND PUSHED INTO THE LOWER FUSELAGE. DAMAGE TO AIRCRAFT INCLUDES ALL 3 BLADES OF PROPELLER, THE LOWER FUSELAGE, FLAPS AND LEFT WING LOWER SURFACE AT PITOT STATIC PROBE. POST-ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THE NUMBER 2 ALTERNATOR BELT WAS BROKEN AND FOUND IN THE LOWER COWLING. THE NUMBER 1 ALTERNATOR BELT WAS SECURELY ATTACHED. THE AIRCRAFT HAS BEEN TRANSPORTED TO A SHOP FOR REPAIRS. THE ENGINE WILL BE SENT OUT FOR OVERHAUL. TROUBLESHOOTING OF THE ALTERNATOR AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WILL BE PERFORMED WHEN THE ENGINE IS REINSTALLED ON THE AIRCRAFT.

THE AIRCRAFT RECORDS INDICATE THAT THE LAST AIRFRAME CONDITION INSPECTION WAS COMPLETED AT AIRFRAME TOTAL TIME: 523.7, ON FEBRUARY 1, 2023. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, THE AIRCRAFT HAD ACCUMULATED APPROXIMATELY 43.3 HOURS SINCE THE ANNUAL INSPECTION.

WHEN THE NTSB REPORT OR ANY OTHER ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BECOME AVAILABLE, THIS REPORT WILL BE AMENDED AS NECESSARY.

## 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 CEN23LA402](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA402), Sep 4, 2023: Vans RV14 (N14NP), Orchard, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of an alternator belt and the builder/previous owner’s incorrect electrical wiring of the airplane’s other alternator, which resulted in a total loss of electrical and engine power.

## Other reports on N14NP (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20181004019449I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181004019449I), Oct 4, 2018: Norris Brown RV-14A (N14NP), Elk River, ID, Minor damage. Pilot landed on a grass runway at Elk River Idaho, when the nose gear collapsed. According to the pilot, the runway was extremely bumpy, and there was rocks on…

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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