# NTSB CEN21LA273: Tony Dubeansky RV10, N878TD, Fort Worth, TX, June 16, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 16, 2021, 07:30 local (12:30 UTC) - Place: Fort Worth, TX - Coordinates: 32.93023, -97.411447 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9302&lon=-97.4114&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 103279 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21LA273 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103279/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103279 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA273 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power due to a separated electronic ignition system connector. Contributing to the accident was the location of the ignition boxes, which provided limited access to the connectors for visual inspection. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Ignition system: ignition system wiring](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057497): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Inoperative (probable cause); cases with it: [Tony Dubeansky RV10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057497/cases.md?model=0563836), [All aircraft, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057497/cases.md) - [Ignition system: ignition system wiring](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057497): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Design (probable cause); cases with it: [Tony Dubeansky RV10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057497/cases.md?model=0563836), [All aircraft, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057497/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Tony Dubeansky RV10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=0563836), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the initial climb following a touch-and-go landing, the engine backfired and lost partial power about 200 ft above ground level. The airplane descended and collided with a power line before impact with terrain and a tree, resulting in substantial damage. The airplane engine was equipped with an electronic ignition system and automotive-style sparkplugs. The ignition system was field-tested by passing a magnet over the flywheel ignition sensor; spark was observed only on one bank of the ignition system. The ignition leads and coil labels did not necessarily correspond to the associated cylinder, and the ignition firing order was not confirmed. The ignition control boxes were located behind the firewall, and the fuselage was cut open to allow access to the boxes. The output cable on ignition box #1 was found disconnected and the pin connectors were not fully secured. The boxes could only be accessed from under the instrument panel and by reaching above the rudder pedals. The accident is consistent with a partial loss of engine power due to the disconnection of the #1 ignition box, likely as a result of not being fully secured. It is likely that the location of the ignition boxes, which limited access and visual inspection of the connections, contributed to the accident. ## Factual narrative On June 16, 2021, about 0730 central daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built RV-10 airplane, N878TD, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Fort Worth, Texas. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot departed Hicks Airfield (T67), Fort Worth, Texas, about 0700 and headed northwest before returning to T67. The pilot reported that, during the initial climb following a touch-and-go landing, the engine backfired and lost power about 200 ft above ground level (agl). As the airplane descended, it collided with a power line before impact with terrain and a tree. The pilot added that the engine continued to run before the impact but did not develop enough power to maintain altitude. The airplane sustained damage to the landing gear, engine, and substantial damage to the fuselage during the accident. Examination of the airplane revealed that the engine was equipped with an electronic ignition system, (labeled as #1 and #2) and automotive-style sparkplugs. The sparkplugs and valve covers were removed from each cylinder and the engine rotated by hand. Continuity through the valve train to the accessory section was noted. The bottom set of sparkplugs appeared wet and black in color. (See Figure 1.) Figure 1: Bottom set of sparkplugs The ignition system was field tested by passing a magnet over the flywheel ignition sensor; spark was only observed on one bank of the ignition system. The ignition leads and coil labels did not necessarily correspond to the associated cylinder. The ignition firing order was not confirmed. The ignition control boxes were located behind the firewall, and the fuselage was cut open to allow access to the boxes. The output cable on ignition box #1 was found disconnected. (see Figure 2.) Figure 2: Output cable as found on ignition box #1 The pin connectors were fully secured. Additionally, as mounted, access to the boxes were limited and could only be done from under the instrument panel and by reaching above the rudder pedals. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N878TD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N878TD-2023-01-14), registration cancelled 2023-01-14, S/N 40669, built 2021 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: TONY DUBEANSKY RV10 - Registry model: [Tony Dubeansky RV10](https://openairdocs.org/model/tony-dubeansky-rv10) (registry code 0563836) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41585, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 40669 - Airframe hours: 23 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-A1D5 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, January 12, 2021 - Airport: T67, Hicks Airfield, runway 14, 3,760 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Electronic primary flight 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, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 15, 2020; seat: left; flight hours: 465 total, 23 in this make and model, 454 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: KAFW, 5 nm away - METAR: KAFW 161253Z 00000KT 10SM FEW250 25/21 A3005 RMK AO2 SLP157 T02500211= ## 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 20210616014859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210616014859A), Jun 16, 2021: Tony Dubeansky RV10, Fort Worth, UT, Substantial damage. The aircraft builder had experienced engine operating issues from the time the aircraft had been completed. He thought the engine had fuel injection problems.… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 18, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103279. 9.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12464613&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Examination (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12464451&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Examination%20Summary%20--Rel.pdf - Photos (item 3, PDF, 7 pages, 4.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12464461&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%201-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 584 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12470503&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N878TD%20SGND%20NTSB%20WRECK%20RELEASE_Redacted-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.