# NTSB ANC04LA067: Rufli Theodore J Rufli, N6191R, Fairbanks, AK, June 24, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 24, 2004, 09:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Fairbanks, AK - Coordinates: 64.813888, -147.918609 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8139&lon=-147.9186&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA, Fairbanks Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 59518 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC04LA067 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59518/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC04LA067 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for an undetermined reason during takeoff-initial climb, which resulted in a forced landing and an on ground collision with a parked and unoccupied airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing after takeoff - object - aircraft parked/standing - Main gear collapsed, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis The private pilot/owner of the experimental amateur built airplane reported a loss of engine power about 50 feet above the ground after takeoff from a private airstrip. During the ensuing forced landing, the airplane's right wing struck a parked and unoccupied airplane, and the left main landing gear collapsed. The accident airplane sustained structural damage to the fuselage and the right wing. Initial inspection of the airplane by the owner and FAA inspectors did not reveal any obvious signs of a mechanical malfunction. No additional information concerning what may have precipitated the loss of engine power was provided by the pilot to the NTSB. ## Factual narrative On June 24, 2004, about 0900 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Rufli homebuilt experimental airplane, N6191R, sustained substantial damage during an emergency landing following a loss of engine power after takeoff from a private airstrip, about 5 miles west of Fairbanks, Alaska. The solo private pilot was not injured. The Title 14, CFR Part 91 business flight was operated by the pilot/owner of the airplane. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. During a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC) on June 24, the pilot related that shortly after takeoff from the grass and gravel airstrip, at an approximate altitude of 50 feet above the runway, the engine lost all power. He said he was able to make an emergency landing on the airstrip, but during the landing roll the right wing collided with a parked and unoccupied airplane. The accident airplane received structural damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot indicated he was unaware of any preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane, and did not know why the engine lost power. He noted that two FAA inspectors had made a preliminary inspection of the airplane, but they were unable to determine why the engine lost power. The pilot said as repairs were made to the airplane, he would forward any information discovered regarding what may have resulted in the loss of engine power to the NTSB IIC. The NTSB IIC had a telephone conversation on June 24 with one of the two FAA inspectors who had examined the airplane. He reported that his initial inspection disclosed no obvious mechanical issues that may have precipitated a loss of engine power. The pilot did not complete an NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Report, nor did he contact the NTSB IIC with any additional information regarding the accident or the reason the engine lost power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6191R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6191R), registered now, S/N 001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Rufli Theodore J Rufli - Registry model: [Rufli Theodore J RUFLI](https://openairdocs.org/model/rufli-theodore-j-rufli) (registry code 056222S) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Mazda 13B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/mazda-13b) (registry code 43200, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1 - Engines: Lycoming reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: John E. Binkley - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: Fairbanks, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: front ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20040624013209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040624013209A), Jun 24, 2004: Amtr RUFLI, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) Engine failed on takeoff. Aircraft reached approx. 50 feet of altitude, was successfully landed, then struck another aircraft that was tied down, no… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.