# NTSB CEN19LA326: Vans Vans RV-10, N569JC, Lancaster, TX, September 21, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 20, 2019, 19:50 local (Sep 21, 2019, 00:50 UTC) - Place: Lancaster, TX - Coordinates: 32.577499, -96.717498 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5775&lon=-96.7175&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO North Texas, FAA FSDO Little Rock - NTSB case key (mKey): 100307 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN19LA326 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100307/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100307 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA326 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power due to a faulty magneto/ignition system, which resulting in a forced landing. ## 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 · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 101 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis Just after takeoff following a touch-and-go landing, the engine backfired and lost partial power. The pilot decided that he could not land on the remaining runway, so he continued to climb the airplane, raised the flaps, and increased airspeed. The manifold pressure continued to decrease despite the pilot’s application of full throttle, and the pilot attempted to return to the airport, but had insufficient altitude, and conducted a forced landing to a field. The nose landing gear sheared off, and the main landing gear collapsed. Both wings sustained substantial damage. Examination of the engine and accessories revealed that the left magneto fired on only 3 of its 6 terminals. The airplane was equipped an electronic ignition system that was coupled to the magnetos. The system created multiple sparks over a longer duration and synchronized timing between the two magnetos. This synchronization was accomplished by using the left magneto as a trigger for the complete system. When the electronic ignition was operating, it relied solely on the left magneto points to fire both magnetos with an enhanced multi-spark. If the left magneto failed or deteriorated, then the complete ignition cycle would be compromised. The degraded functionality of the left magneto was likely the cause of the partial engine power loss. ## Factual narrative On September 20, 2019, about 1940 central daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built RV-10 airplane, N569JC, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Lancaster, Texas. The airline transport pilot and three passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Federal Code of Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that the 40-minute flight was uneventful until he conducted a touch-and-go landing. During the initial climb, the nosewheel sounded like it was vibrating, and the engine backfired and lost partial power. The pilot decided that he could not land on the remaining runway, so he climbed the airplane, raised the flaps, and increased airspeed to 95 to 100 knots. The manifold pressure was dropping from 17 to 14” with full throttle and the engine power continued to decrease. The pilot decided to try a gentle turn toward the airport before realizing that he did not have adequate altitude, and instead conducted a forced landing to a field, during which the nose landing gear and main landing gear collapsed. Both wings sustained substantial damage. All occupants exited the airplane. The airplane was recovered to a secure facility for examination. Teardown examination of the engine did not reveal any mechanical anomalies. The fuel system was intact, and no obstructions or leaks were observed. The magnetos were bench tested. The right magneto displayed no anomalies. The left magneto fired on 3 of the 6 terminals. The airplane was equipped with a G3i electronic ignition system that was coupled to the magnetos. The system created multiple sparks over a longer duration and synchronized timing between the two magnetos. This synchronization was accomplished by using the left magneto as a trigger for the complete system. While the electronic ignition was operating, it relied solely on the left magneto points to fire left and right magnetos with an enhanced multi-spark. If the left magneto failed or deteriorated, then the complete ignition cycle would be compromised. ## Aircraft - Registration: N569JC (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Vans VANS RV-10 (No Series) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 40569 - Year built: 2010 - Airframe hours: 483 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-EXP 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, June 15, 2019, 11 hours before - Departed: LNC, Lancaster, TX - Destination: LNC, Lancaster, TX - Airport: LNC, Lancaster Regional - Equipment: Auto-pilot, Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 19, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 18,561 total, 15 in this make and model, 186 in the last 90 days, 64 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 140° at 14 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: LNC ## 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 20190920020019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190920020019A), Sep 20, 2019: Nafsinger N/Cram J VANS RV-10, Lancaster, TX, Substantial damage. Accident involving a vans RV-10 with 4 people on board landing in farmers field approximately .5 mile east of Lancaster Airport (lnc) due to loss of engine… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 2, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100307. 5.2 MB in all. - NTSB form 6120 pilot operator report CEN19LA326 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13045497&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120%20Pilot%20Operator%20Report%20CEN19LA326_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for the record engine and fuel system examination findings CEN19LA326 (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 156 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13045017&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20the%20Record%20Engine%20and%20Fuel%20System%20Examination%20Findings%20CEN19LA326_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array CEN19LA326 (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13045746&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20CEN19LA326-Rel.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.