# NTSB DFW06CA015: Chamberlain Vans RV6, N296PC, Eunice, LA, October 22, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 22, 2005, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Eunice, LA - Coordinates: 30.741666, -92.620277 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.7417&lon=-92.6203&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Baton Rouge, Louisiana - NTSB case key (mKey): 62713 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW06CA015 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62713/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06CA015 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reason. A contributing factor was lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The 781-hour private pilot, was performing a maintenance test flight following the installation of four overhauled engine cylinders in his tail wheel-equipped homebuilt airplane. Following the break-in runs for the new cylinders, the pilot elected to depart the uncontrolled private airstrip. During the climb out, while climbing through approximately 2,000 feet mean sea level (MSL), the engine stopped producing power. After an unsuccessful restart, the pilot made a 180 degree turn in an attempt to return to the airport. When he was unable to reach the airport, the pilot elected to land in a pasture. While attempting to make the pasture, the airplane impacted a three foot levee at the edge of a rice field before coming to rest in an upright position. Inspection of the airplane at the accident site by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, revealed that the right fuel tank contained approximately 12 gallons of fuel, while the left tank was breached and appeared to be empty. The quantity of oil in the engine was found to be at "normal" levels. The reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative The 781-hour private pilot, was performing a maintenance test flight following the installation of four overhauled engine cylinders in his tail wheel-equipped homebuilt airplane. Following the break-in runs for the new cylinders, the pilot elected to depart the uncontrolled private airstrip. During the climb out, while climbing through approximately 2,000 feet mean sea level (MSL), the engine stopped producing power. After an unsuccessful restart, the pilot made a 180 degree turn in an attempt to return to the airport. When he was unable to reach the airport, the pilot elected to land in a pasture. While attempting to make the pasture, the airplane impacted a three foot levee at the edge of a rice field before coming to rest in an upright position. Inspection of the airplane at the accident site by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, revealed that the right fuel tank contained approximately 12 gallons of fuel, while the left tank was breached and appeared to be empty. The quantity of oil in the engine was found to be at "normal" levels. The reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N296PC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N296PC-2013-08-28), registration cancelled 2013-08-28, S/N 20945 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Chamberlain Vans RV6 - Registry model: [Chamberlain Phillip Lee VANS RV6](https://openairdocs.org/model/chamberlain-phillip-lee-vans-rv6) (registry code 05617S8) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 20945 - Airframe hours: 111 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A1A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Phillip Lee Chamberlain - Registered owner: Phillip L Chamberlain - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2005 - Departed: Eunice, LA - Destination: Eunice, LA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 781 total, 87 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: klft, 27 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 20051022028419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051022028419A), Oct 22, 2005: Amtr VANSRV6, Eunice, LA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot reported that the engine suddenly quit approximately one minute after takeoff. The aircraft sustained substantial damage during the forced… 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.