# NTSB CHI08CA112: Pierson RV-6, N606JP, Newark, IL, April 20, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 20, 2008, 12:20 local (17:20 UTC) - Place: Newark, IL - Coordinates: 41.519443, -88.605552 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5194&lon=-88.6056&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - DuPage FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68170 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA112 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68170/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA112 ## Probable cause The partial loss of engine power due to the fracture of the number 4 exhaust valve, and the pilot's decision to shut-down the engine without sufficient altitude to ensure a safe glide path to the runway. Contributing to the accident was the barbed wire fence located at the end of the runway. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Pierson David R RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05601IY), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Pierson David R RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=05601IY), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Pierson David R RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=05601IY), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Pierson David R RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=05601IY), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng cyl section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Pierson David R RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md?model=05601IY), [All aircraft, 373 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Pierson David R RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=05601IY), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Pierson David R RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05601IY), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during cruise flight he heard a bang and then the engine began to run rough. He immediately diverted to a nearby airport and entered the traffic pattern for a precautionary landing. As the airplane turned onto final approach, he saw an ultralight taxiing on the far-end of the runway that would interfere with his landing roll. He decided to perform a go-around and increased engine power. On the second approach, as the airplane was turning onto final approach, the pilot intentionally shut-down the engine by switching off the ignition and fuel selector. The airplane's main landing gear impacted a barbed-wire fence that bordered the approach end of the runway. The right wing leading edge received substantial impact damage. The propeller and engine support structure were damaged, and the main landing gear had collapsed. During a post-accident inspection, compression was noted on cylinder numbers 1, 2, and 3 when the engine crankshaft was rotated. No compression was noted on the number 4 cylinder. The number 4 exhaust valve was fractured and missing approximately 180-degrees of its valve head. The engine had a total time of 1,996.1 hours and had accumulated 537.1 hours since its last overhaul. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during cruise flight he heard a bang and then engine began to run rough. He immediately diverted to a nearby airport and entered the traffic pattern for a precautionary landing. As the airplane turned onto final approach, he saw an ultralight taxiing on the far-end of the runway that would interfere with his landing roll. He decided to perform a go-around and increased engine power. On the second approach, as the airplane was turning onto final approach, the pilot intentionally shut-down the engine by switching off the ignition and fuel selector. The airplane's main landing gear impacted a barbed-wire fence that bordered the approach end of the runway. The right wing leading edge received substantial impact damage. The propeller and engine support structure were damaged, and the main landing gear had collapsed. During a post-accident inspection, compression was noted on cylinder numbers 1, 2, and 3 when the engine crankshaft was rotated. No compression was noted on the number 4 cylinder. The number 4 exhaust valve was fractured and missing approximately 180-degrees of its valve head. The engine had a total time of 1,996.1 hours and had accumulated 537.1 hours since its last overhaul. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N606JP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N606JP-2009-10-01), registration cancelled 2009-10-01, S/N 21099, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Pierson RV-6 - Registry model: [Pierson David R RV-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/pierson-david-r-rv-6) (registry code 05601IY) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 21099 - Airframe hours: 537.1 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, March 1, 2008 - Departed: C09, Morris, IL - Destination: 0C8, Newark, IL - Airport: 0C8, Cushing Field, runway 36, 2,831 × 180 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 709 total, 338 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 7 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: C09, 10 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 20080420836039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080420836039A), Apr 20, 2008: Amtr RV6, Newark, IL, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot departed morris (C09) on a pleasure flight. He headed toward Cushing airport (068) at 2,500 feet MSL. Approximately 2 miles southeast of Cushing,… 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.