# NTSB CEN09LA250: Jordan Don R Vans RV-6A, N6DJ, Arlington, TX, April 15, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 14, 2009, 19:15 local (Apr 15, 2009, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Arlington, TX
- Coordinates: 32.689376, -97.190223 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6894&lon=-97.1902&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 29, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA FSDO, Lycoming Aircraft Engines
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73658
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09LA250
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73658/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73658
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA250

## Probable cause

A total loss of engine power due to the failure of both magnetos. Contributing to the accident was the lack of preventative maintenance/inspection of the magnetos.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Ignition system: magneto/distributor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Jordan Don R VANS RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414/cases.md?model=056056S), [All aircraft, 101 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414/cases.md)
- [Ignition system: magneto/distributor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Not serviced/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Jordan Don R VANS RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414/cases.md?model=056056S), [All aircraft, 101 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414/cases.md)
- [Maintenance: scheduled/routine maintenance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010): Personnel issues › Task performance · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Jordan Don R VANS RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010/cases.md?model=056056S), [All aircraft, 320 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Enroute-cruise: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340); cases with it: [Jordan Don R VANS RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=056056S), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md)
- [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Jordan Don R VANS RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=056056S), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Jordan Don R VANS RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=056056S), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Jordan Don R VANS RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=056056S), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Jordan Don R VANS RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=056056S), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

While in cruise flight, the single-engine airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. During the forced landing, the airplane's nose wheel dug into the ground and the airplane nosed over, coming to rest in an inverted position. An on-site examination revealed both wing fuel tanks contained a considerable amount of fuel. Continuity to the back of the engine was confirmed. The engine was equipped with two single (left and right) magnetos, with the left magneto having an impulse coupling. The magneto's "p-leads", were disconnected and the engine rotated by hand; electric "spark" was not observed at the ignition leads. Further examination of the magnetos disclosed that they had "open" [bad] coils; and therefore produced little, if any, ignition spark. The magnetos were manufactured in 1991, and there was no maintenance record of any overhaul/maintenance preformed on the magnetos. According to the manufacturer, the magneto's coil, points, condenser, and brushes are to inspected every 500 hours and the magneto must be overhauled when the engine is overhauled.

## Factual narrative

On April 14, 2009, approximately 1915 central daylight time, a single-engine, RV-6A airplane, N6DJ, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff from the Arlington Municipal Airport (GKY), Arlington, Texas. The pilot, sole occupant, received minor injuries. The airplane was registered and operated by a private individual. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 flight. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who responded to the site, reported the pilot stated, that he was on a local pleasure flight when the aircraft experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot elected to conduct a force landing in a vacant field. During the forced landing, the airplane's nose wheel dug into the ground and the airplane "nosed over", coming to rest in the inverted position. On April 15, 2009 the NTSB (IIC) Investigator in Charge and a technical representative from the engine manufacturer examined the airplane on-site. The airplane was turned right side up; the fuel selector was in the left position and both wing fuel tanks contained a considerable amount of fuel. The electric fuel boost pump was found to be in working order. The bottom set of spark plugs were removed from the cylinders and the engine rotated by hand. Continuity to the back of the engine was confirmed. The engine was equipped with two single (left and right) magnetos, with the left magneto having an impulse coupling. The magneto's "p-leads", were disconnected and the engine rotated by hand; electric "spark" was not observed at the ignition leads. The magnetos were removed for further examination. The magnetos were tested under the supervision of the NTSB IIC and the engine manufacturer's representative. When placed in a bench test machine, the left magneto did not produce any ignition spark; individual components were then tested. The ignition technician stated that the magneto displayed signs that the left magneto's coil was "open" [bad]. The right magneto produced an erratic electric spark, and would stop producing spark around 1200-1500 rpm. When testing the individual components of the right magneto, the coil tested "open." The Slick magnetos, model 4370 and 4371, were manufactured in 1991; and a review of the aircraft maintenance logs did not reveal any data that the magnetos were ever overhauled/maintained. According to the Slick Magneto Maintenance and Overhaul manual, # L-1363, the magneto's coil, points, condenser, brushes, are to inspected every 500 hours and the magneto must be overhauled when the engine is overhauled.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6DJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6DJ), registered now, S/N 24330, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: JORDAN DON R VANS RV-6A
- Registry model: [Jordan Don R VANS RV-6A](https://openairdocs.org/model/jordan-don-r-vans-rv-6a) (registry code 056056S) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 24330
- Airframe hours: 301
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, December 12, 2008
- Departed: GKY, Arlington, TX
- Destination: GKY, Arlington, TX
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 13, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 1,332 total, 328 in this make and model, 1,332 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observed at: KGKY

## 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 20090415003829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090415003829A), Apr 15, 2009: Amtr RV6A, Arlington, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot was on a local flight. He had reduced power for one minute or so and when he advanced the throttle, the engine did not respond. He changed fuel…

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 2, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73658. 923 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 767 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40312772&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 27 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40312773&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF
- Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 3, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40312774&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF
- Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 4, .PDF, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40312775&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Redacted.PDF

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.

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