# NTSB CEN15LA179: Picard Roy J RV 4, N945RV, Marathon, TX, March 23, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 23, 2015, 08:50 local (14:50 UTC) - Place: Marathon, TX - Coordinates: 30.2075, -103.243331 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2075&lon=-103.2433&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 19, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 90919 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15LA179 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90919/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90919 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA179 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## 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: [Picard Roy J RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05623HG), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Picard Roy J RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=05623HG), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Picard Roy J RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05623HG), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [Picard Roy J RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=05623HG), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during takeoff climb, the engine sputtered, followed by a total loss of power. The pilot executed a forced landing into a field, and the airplane impacted a fence and nosed over. A postaccident examination of the fuel system, engine, and cockpit controls revealed no evidence of any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On March 23, 2015, about 0850 central standard time, a Roy J Picard RV-4 airplane, N945RV, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Marathon, Texas. The pilot was seriously injured and the passenger suffered minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, with no flight plan filed. The flight originated from the Los Muertos Airport (6TE2), Marathon, Texas about 0845 and was destined for Tyler Pounds Regional Airport (TYR), Tyler, Texas. During departure climb from 6TE2, the pilot noticed the engine sputter, followed by a total loss of power. The pilot executed a forced landing into a field, impacted a fence and nosed over, which damaged the right wing, vertical stabilizer and fuselage. On scene responders to the accident site reported fuel leaking from both wing tanks. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the engine, fuel system, and cockpit controls and found no evidence of anomalies, mechanical malfunctions, or heat distress that would have precluded normal engine operation. A teardown exam of the engine and fuel system was not performed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N945RV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N945RV-2018-06-08), registration cancelled 2018-06-08, S/N 945, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PICARD ROY J RV 4 - Registry model: [Picard Roy J RV-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/picard-roy-j-rv-4) (registry code 05623HG) (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: 945 - Year built: 1994 - Airframe hours: 900 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Jones Guilford - Registered owner: Jones Guilford - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 8, 2013 - Departed: 6TE2, Marathon, TX - Destination: KTYR, Tyler, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: serious; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2013; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 14,000 total, 178 in this make and model, 11,000 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: KFST, 45 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 20150323003989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150323003989A), Mar 23, 2015: Picard Roy J RV-4, Marathon, TX, Destroyed. On departure from a private airstrip near Marathon, Texas, N945RV lost engine power during climb out and the engine quit, which resulted in a forced landing.… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 22, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90919. 6.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 5.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433047&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo of Aircraft at the Accident Site (item 2, .PDF, 176 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433048&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20of%20Aircraft%20at%20the%20Accident%20Site-Master.PDF - Record of Correspondence (item 3, .PDF, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433049&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Correspondence-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.