# NTSB CEN25LA058: Vans RV8, N42CS, Smithville, TX, December 10, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: December 10, 2024, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Smithville, TX - Coordinates: 30.028208, -97.167039 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0282&lon=-97.1670&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 199413 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN25LA058 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/199413/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199413 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA058 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Schultz Stephen VANS ACFT RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=05612C4), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Schultz Stephen VANS ACFT RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=05612C4), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Schultz Stephen VANS ACFT RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=05612C4), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Schultz Stephen VANS ACFT RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05612C4), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airplane was filled with fuel before takeoff. Shortly after takeoff, at an altitude of 100 to 150 ft above ground level (agl) the airplane’s engine began to lose power and then lost total power. The pilot reported he leveled the wings; however, the airplane entered an aerodynamic stall before it descended and impacted an open field. The engine started and ran to normal operating power during a postaccident engine test run. Although the engine continued to operate although the ignition switch was moved to the “off” position, the issue would not have led to a loss of power. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On December 10, 2024, about 1130 central standard time, a Vans RV-8, N42CS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Smithville, Texas. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. The pilot reported that the accident flight was the second flight of the day. He had flown from San Marcos Airport (KHYI), San Marcos, Texas, to Smithville Crawford Municipal Airport (84R), Smithville, Texas, earlier that morning. He had both fuel tanks topped off before departing 84R. After takeoff, the engine began to cut out and lose engine power. When the airplane reached about 100 to 150 ft agl, the engine lost total power. The airplane was in a left bank, so the pilot rolled the wings level, but the airplane entered an aerodynamic stall before it descended and impacted terrain about 1,000 ft north of the departure end of the runway. The airplane was recovered to a salvage facility for further examination. On March 7, 2025, an engine run was conducted, and the engine started and ran without any problems noted. The engine was able to produce rated power. The engine continued to run with the ignition switch in the “off” position. The switch connection’s ground intermittently and appeared to be in a condition which would have allowed continued operation of the magnetos. Disassembly of the switch did not find any anomalies. The loss of engine power could not be replicated. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N42CS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N42CS-2025-06-05), registration cancelled 2025-06-05, S/N 80546, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: VANS RV8 - Registry model: [Schultz Stephen VANS ACFT RV-8](https://openairdocs.org/model/schultz-stephen-vans-acft-rv-8) (registry code 05612C4) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 80546 - Year built: 2003 - Airframe hours: 985.7 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-B1B 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Davis Robert W - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, October 9, 2024, 10 hours before - Destination: KHYI, San Marcos, TX - Airport: 84R, Smithville Crawford Muni - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 79; injuries: serious; flight engineer, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 24,000 total, 795 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 11 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: KGYB, 13 nm away - METAR: KGYB 101735Z AUTO 35011G20KT 10SM OVC020 13/08 A3013 RMK AO2 T01250080 ## 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 20241210018859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241210018859A), Dec 10, 2024: Schultz Stephen VANS ACFT RV-8, Smithville, TX, Substantial damage. On December 10, 2024, at 1130 hours, a vans RV-8, encountered an accident during takeoff in Smithville, Texas, runway 35 at Smithville Crawford Municipal… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 6, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199413. 5.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18447534&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Form%206120_1%20N42CS_signed_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigative photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 2 photos, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18446211&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photos%202-Rel.pdf - Engine run notes (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 3 photos, 606 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18447524&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Engine%20Run%20Notes-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 482 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18458671&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Release%20N42CS_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.