# NTSB CHI01LA142: Baldwin RV-6, N4348Q, Muscatine, IA, May 16, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 16, 2001, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Muscatine, IA - Coordinates: 41.409942, -91.070381 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4099&lon=-91.0704&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report May 28, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 52325 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA142 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52325/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA142 ## Probable cause The engine failure for undetermined reasons. Factors were the low altitude, the trees, the presence of the irrigation system, the ditch and the soft ground. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - reason for occurrence undetermined - powerplant - failure (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - altitude - low (contributing factor) - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - object - other (contributing factor) - Nose over, emergency landing ## Analysis The airplane nosed over during a forced landing following a loss of engine power on initial climb after takeoff. The pilot reported that, "At approx. 400' AGL the RPM started to fall off. I checked carb heat, mixture. Both set properly. Pumped throttle since it seemed like the problem could be fuel flow. (Tanks were full, fuel valve turned to right tank, fuel pump on.) After 10-15 seconds from begining of problem the engine stopped." The pilot landed the aircraft in a field containing a tree line, an irrigation system and a drainage ditch. The pilot said, "The soil was soft and sandy. On touchdown the gear dug in and the plane flipped over to its back." An examination of the aircraft failed to reveal any anomalies. ## Factual narrative On May 16, 2001, at 1800 central daylight time, an amateur-built Baldwin RV-6, N4348Q, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during a nose over while executing a forced landing. The airplane lost engine power on initial climb after takeoff from runway 24 (5,500 feet by 100 feet, concrete) at the Muscatine Municipal Airport, Muscatine, Iowa. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not on a flight plan and was operating in visual meteorological conditions. The pilot and his one passenger received minor injuries. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that he, "Was departing Muscatine, Iowa airport [at] 6:00 pm for a local flight. After the normal systems checks and engine runup, I began my departure. At approx. 400' AGL the RPM started to fall off. I checked carb heat, mixture. Both set properly. Pumped throttle since it seemed like the problem could be fuel flow. (Tanks were full, fuel valve turned to right tank, fuel pump on.) After 10-15 seconds from begining of problem the engine stopped." The pilot landed the aircraft in a field containing a tree line, an irrigation system and a drainage ditch. The pilot said, "The soil was soft and sandy. On touchdown the gear dug in and the plane flipped over to its back." The Federal Aviation Administration conducted a postaccident examination of the aircraft. The examination of the aircraft failed to reveal any anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4348Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4348Q), registered now, S/N 20771, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Baldwin RV-6 - Registry model: [Baldwin William H RV-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/baldwin-william-h-rv-6) (registry code 05608TR) (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: 20771 - Airframe hours: 341.7 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James E. Hughes - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2000, 17.7 hours before - Departed: MUT, Muscatine, IA - Airport: MUT, Muscatine Muni, runway 24, 5,500 × 100 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review April 10, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 294 total, 18 in this make and model, 255 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 2 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.62 inHg - Observed at: MUT, 1 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 20010516011659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010516011659A), May 16, 2001: Amtr RV6, Muscatine, IA, No damage. (-23)After take off at 400 ft. the engine RPM started to drop slowly. The pilot decreased mixture slightly, engine RPM increased and then the engine failed and… 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.