# NTSB CEN14LA495: Nolin Vans RV-10, N104HN, Houston, TX, September 9, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 9, 2014, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Houston, TX - Coordinates: 29.607221, -95.158607 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6072&lon=-95.1586&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 13, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Houston FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 90062 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14LA495 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90062/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90062 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA495 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident examination. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [George Henry Nolin VAN'S AIRCRAFT RV-10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05633CL), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [George Henry Nolin VAN'S AIRCRAFT RV-10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05633CL), [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: [George Henry Nolin VAN'S AIRCRAFT RV-10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05633CL), [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: [George Henry Nolin VAN'S AIRCRAFT RV-10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=05633CL), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [George Henry Nolin VAN'S AIRCRAFT RV-10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05633CL), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot reported that the accident occurred during the airplane's second flight after receiving an experimental airworthiness certificate. The purpose of the flight test was to complete basic flight maneuvers, verify and calibrate cockpit instrumentation, and perform several takeoffs and landings at a nearby airport. After the pilot completed several landings, the engine, while at an idle power setting, experienced a total loss of power during the landing roll. After several unsuccessful engine starts, attempted over a period of 15 to 20 minutes, the pilot was able to restart the engine and depart on the return flight to the departure airport. The airplane then experienced another total loss of engine power about 3 miles east of the intended destination. The airplane did not have sufficient altitude remaining to glide to the airport, and the pilot completed a forced landing to a nearby vacant field, during which the left main and nose landing gear collapsed. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of a malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal engine operation; however, postaccident damage to the electrical system prevented a complete evaluation of the ignition system. ## Factual narrative On September 9, 2014, about 1500 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Nolin model Vans RV-10 single-engine airplane, N104HN, was substantially damaged during a forced landing while on approach to the Ellington Airport (EFD), Houston, Texas. The private pilot and pilot-rated-passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight test that originally departed EFD about 1400.The pilot reported that the accident occurred during the airplane's second flight since receiving its experimental airworthiness certificate on July 1, 2014, and that he was still operating under the restrictions of the initial flight test phase. The pilot stated that the airplane's maiden flight was completed earlier in the day and was flown by another pilot. The pilot reported that the accident occurred during his first flight in the airplane and that he was being assisted by the pilot who had completed the earlier flight. The purpose of the second flight test was to complete basic flight maneuvers, verify/calibrate cockpit instrumentation, and to perform several takeoff-and-landings at the nearby RWJ Airpark (54T), Baytown, Texas, before returning to EFD. The pilot reported that during his final landing at 54T, the engine, while at an idle power setting, experienced a total loss of power during landing roll. After several unsuccessful engine starts, attempted over a period of 15-20 minutes, the pilot was able to restart the engine and depart on the return flight to EFD. While en route, shortly after the pilot had established communications with EFD air traffic control tower, the airplane experienced another total loss of engine power about 3 miles east of the airport. The airplane did not have sufficient altitude remaining to glide to the airport and the pilot completed a forced landing to a nearby vacant field. The left main and nose landing gear collapsed during landing roll, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing primary structure and the forward fuselage structure. At 1450, the EFD automated surface observing system (ASOS) reported: wind 120 degrees at 6 knots, visibility 10 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet above ground level, temperature 32 degrees Celsius, dew point 23 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 29.95 inches of mercury. A postaccident examination, completed by an aviation mechanic, found no anomalies or obstructions to the fuel lines while compressed air was applied to the fuel system. Additionally, a functional check of the fuel selector confirmed its proper operation. Internal engine and valve train continuity was confirmed as the engine crankshaft was rotated. Compression and suction were noted on all cylinders in conjunction with crankshaft rotation. Both magnetos provided spark on all leads when rotated by hand. The airplane wasequipped with a standard Bendix-style magneto/ignition multiple-position rotary switch. The magneto/ignition switch had the following positions: Off/Left/Right/Both/Start. The wiring between the cockpit magneto/ignition switch and the starting vibrator appeared to be wired correctly. In addition to the normal magneto P-lead wire, each magneto had an additional wire connected to its P-lead terminal. These extra two wires traced back through the firewall and terminated at a two-position cockpit switch labeled "Mag Drop Selector." The two-position switch was also connected to a multi-pin connector and a wire bundle. The wire bundle to the multi-pin connector had been cut by the pilot/owner following the accident; presumably to remove components from the airplane before it was sold shortly after the accident. As such, the P-lead circuit path beyond the multi-pin connector could not be tested further. The postaccident examination revealed no evidence of a malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal engine operation; however, the postaccident damage to the electrical system prevented a complete evaluation of the ignition system. Specifically, it was not determined if there was an unintended ground path in the P-lead circuit that could have rendered the magnetos inoperative. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N104HN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N104HN-2018-05-14), registration cancelled 2018-05-14, S/N 40462, built 2014 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: NOLIN VANS RV-10 - Registry model: [George Henry Nolin VAN'S AIRCRAFT RV-10](https://openairdocs.org/model/george-henry-nolin-van-s-aircraft-rv-10) (registry code 05633CL) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540-D4A5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-d4a5) (registry code 41798, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 40462 - Year built: 2014 - Airframe hours: 4 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, July 1, 2014, 4 hours before - Departed: EFD, Houston, TX - Destination: EFD, Houston, TX - Airport: EFD, Ellington Airport - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Stall warning system, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; last flight review September 8, 2012; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 206 total, 1 in this make and model, 97 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Pilot-rated passenger; age 64; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2012; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 3,600 total, 50 in this make and model, 3,500 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: EFD, 3 nm away ## 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 20140909017169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140909017169A), Sep 9, 2014: George Henry Nolin VAN'S AIRCRAFT RV-10, La Porte, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft left efd for rwj to do touch and go and landing practice. Engine shut down during taxi at rwj. Pilot restarted engine and taxiied at 1175 RPM to avoid… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 28, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90062. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 683 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447875&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum of Conversation (George Nolin) (item 2, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447876&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Conversation%20(George%20Nolin)-Master.PDF - Memorandum of Conversation (John Nys) (item 3, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447877&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Conversation%20(John%20Nys)-Master.PDF - Weather Reports (item 4, .PDF, 101 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447878&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports-Master.PDF - Photo (item 5, .PDF, 1 photo, 357 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447879&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-Master.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. --- 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.