# NTSB ERA10LA294: Swanson RV-9A, N858JK, Ashland, VA, June 1, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 1, 2010, 12:55 local (16:55 UTC) - Place: Ashland, VA - Coordinates: 37.708889, -77.436386 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7089&lon=-77.4364&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Emergency descent: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 7, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 76195 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10LA294 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76195/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76195 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA294 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point during a forced landing in gusting wind. Contributing to the accident was a total loss of engine power, likely due to carburetor ice. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Swanson Raymond H RV-9A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000/cases.md?model=05628KG), [All aircraft, 151 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: conducive to carburetor icing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Swanson Raymond H RV-9A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md?model=05628KG), [All aircraft, 435 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Swanson Raymond H RV-9A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=05628KG), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Swanson Raymond H RV-9A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/cases.md?model=05628KG), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Swanson Raymond H RV-9A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=05628KG), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Swanson Raymond H RV-9A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05628KG), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Swanson Raymond H RV-9A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05628KG), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) (defining event); cases with it: [Swanson Raymond H RV-9A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=05628KG), [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot/builder was in the process of conducting the experimental airplane's 40-hour Phase 1 test flights. He departed his home airport and landed at an airport about 30 miles away without incident. Shortly after takeoff, the engine experienced a momentary sudden reduction in rpm. The pilot elected to return to his home airport and while en route the engine experienced additional sudden and intermittent power reductions. The pilot was able to restore power either by applying full throttle or the application of carburetor heat. With the airplane approximately 2.5 miles from his home airport, the engine rpm decreased again and the pilot applied carburetor heat without any affect. The engine ceased producing power completely and the pilot elected to attempt to lose altitude and perform a forced landing to the runway. The pilot overshot the runway and the airplane touched down in the grass past the runway surface and nosed over. A postaccident examination of the airplane and engine did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions that would have resulted in a loss of engine power. Removal of several of the engine's spark plugs revealed that they were dark in coloration, consistent with a rich mixture. A weather observation taken at the airport, about the time of the accident included, wind from 210 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 19 knots, a temperature 30 degrees Celsius (C), and a dew point of 20 degrees C. Review of a carburetor icing envelope chart revealed that the reported temperature and dew point at the time of the accident was within the "serious icing" at glide power area of the chart. ## Factual narrative On June 1, 2010, about 1255 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Vans RV-9A, N858JK, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, after experiencing a loss of engine power while on approach to the Hanover County Municipal Airport (OFP), Ashland, Virginia. The certificated private pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot/builder reported that he was in the process of conducting the airplane's 40-hour Phase 1 test flights. He departed OFP and landed at the Tappahannock-Essex County Airport (XSA), Tappahannock, Virginia, without incident. Shortly after takeoff from XSA, the airplane experienced a momentary sudden reduction in rpm, and the pilot elected to fly to OFP. While en route, the engine experienced additional sudden intermittent power reductions from 2,350 to 2,100 rpm. The pilot was able to restore power either by applying full throttle or the application of carburetor heat. The airplane was at an altitude of 1,300 feet, approximately 2.5 miles south of OFP, when the engine rpm decreased again. The pilot applied carburetor heat without any affect, and the engine subsequently ceased producing power completely. The pilot attempted to lose altitude and perform a forced landing on runway 34, a 5,402-foot-long, 100-foot-wide, asphalt runway; however, the airplane overshot the runway, touched down in the grass north of the runway and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and fuselage. The airplane was equipped with an ECI O-320 series engine, which had been operated for about 22 hours since new. Examination of the airplane and engine by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector (FAA), with assistance from representatives of the engine manufacturer did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions which would have resulted in a loss of engine power. It was noted that the spark plugs removed from the engine were dark, consistent with a rich mixture. The pilot reported 261 hours of total flight experience, which included approximately 30 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane. A weather observation taken at OFP, about the time of the accident reported, wind from 210 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 19 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; scattered clouds at 3,400 feet, temperature 30 degrees Celsius (C), dew point 20 degrees C; altimeter 29.93 inches of mercury. Review of an FAA carburetor icing envelope chart revealed that the reported temperature and dew point at the time of the accident was within the "serious icing (glide power)" area of the chart. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N858JK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N858JK-2019-02-27), registration cancelled 2019-02-27, S/N 91328, built 2009 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SWANSON RV-9A - Registry model: [Swanson Raymond H RV-9A](https://openairdocs.org/model/swanson-raymond-h-rv-9a) (registry code 05628KG) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 91328 - Airframe hours: 22 - Engines: ECi O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 21, 2009, 22 hours before - Departed: XSA, Tappahannock, VA - Destination: OFP, Ashland, VA - Airport: OFP, Hanover County, runway 34, 5,402 × 1,647 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 13, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 261 total, 30 in this make and model, 159 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 10 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: OFP, 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 20100601036749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100601036749A), Jun 1, 2010: Swanson Ray RV-9A, Hanover, VA, Substantial damage. The aircraft engine lost power. Pilot was too high to make the runway at ofp. Glided down length of runway 34, touched down main wheels approx. 50 yards beyond… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 14, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76195. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 869 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339152&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statment and Memorandum (item 2, .PDF, 72 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339154&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statment%20and%20Memorandum-Master.PDF - Witness Statement (item 3, .PDF, 29 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339155&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Weather Observations (item 4, .PDF, 24 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339156&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Observations-Master.PDF - Carburetor Icing Envelope Chart (item 5, .PDF, 253 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339157&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Carburetor%20Icing%20Envelope%20Chart-Master.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.