# NTSB CEN18LA068: Barnes Steven D Steve Barnes RV 4, N83SB, Montrose, CO, January 4, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 4, 2018, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Montrose, CO - Coordinates: 38.505554, -107.729446 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5056&lon=-107.7294&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-climb to cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 15, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 96576 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN18LA068 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96576/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96576 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA068 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because a postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or failures 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: [Barnes Steven D STEVE BARNES RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05608KT), [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. - [Enroute-climb to cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Barnes Steven D STEVE BARNES RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05608KT), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Barnes Steven D STEVE BARNES RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05608KT), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The commercial pilot departed on a local flight and began a 120-mph cruise climb. After the airplane cleared some high terrain, the pilot leaned the engine fuel-air mixture, but the engine began to operate roughly. The pilot enriched the mixture, and the engine began to operate smoothly but then lost total power. The pilot performed emergency procedures, which included an attempted engine restart. The pilot stated that he pumped the throttle twice and that the engine responded with "2 small bursts of 500-600 rpms," but then there was no additional engine power. The pilot executed a forced landing to a nearby private airfield but was unable to reach the runway, and the airplane impacted terrain and farm equipment. A postaccident examination of the airplane fuel system revealed no anomalies. The carburetor could not be tested because it was destroyed during the accident sequence. A postaccident engine examination showed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or abnormalities. Thus, the reason(s) for the total loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On January 4, 2018, about 1600 mountain standard time, a Barnes RV-4 airplane, N83SB, lost engine power and executed a forced landing near Montrose, Colorado. The commercial rated pilot was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and a flight plan was not filed. The local flight departed the Clifford Field Airport (1CO4), Olathe, Colorado, about 1555. According to the pilot, he departed 1CO4 and began a 120-mph cruise climb. After clearing some high terrain, the pilot leaned the engine mixture and the engine began to operate rough, so he began to enrich the mixture. Subsequently, the engine began to operate smoothly, and then lost total power. The pilot performed his emergency procedures which included an attempted engine restart. The pilot pumped the throttle twice, the engine responded with "2 small bursts of 500-600 rpms", and then no additional engine power. The pilot executed a forced landing to a nearby private airfield; however, was unable to make the runway, and the airplane impacted terrain and farm equipment. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector and the pilot revealed the fuel system and fuel lines were clear of contaminants and no issues were noted. The engine carburetor was destroyed during the accident sequence. No mechanical anomalies were noted with the airframe or engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N83SB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N83SB-2018-08-08), registration cancelled 2018-08-08, S/N 1171, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BARNES STEVEN D STEVE BARNES RV 4 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Barnes Steven D STEVE BARNES RV-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/barnes-steven-d-steve-barnes-rv-4) (registry code 05608KT) (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: 1171 - Year built: 1991 - Airframe hours: 1795.3 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B3B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, January 26, 2017 - Departed: 1CO4, Olathe, CO - Destination: 1CO4, Olathe, CO - Equipment: Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 6, 2016; seat: front; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 8,688 total, 49 in this make and model, 8,563 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 3 °F - Altimeter: 30.25 inHg - Observed at: MTJ, 9 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 20180104000019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180104000019A), Jan 4, 2018: Barnes Steven D STEVE BARNES RV-4, Montrose, CO, Substantial damage. After reaching cruise altitude, pilot trimmed engine to smooth at which it began to lose power. All attempts to regain power failed. Pilot made an emergency… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 19, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96576. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460984&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Record of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460985&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Record%20of%20Conversation-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.