# NTSB ERA10LA316: Mcculloch Jerry RV-4, N418GM, Pageland, SC, June 17, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 17, 2010, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Pageland, SC - Coordinates: 34.736946, -80.392776 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7369&lon=-80.3928&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 13, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 76355 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10LA316 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76355/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76355 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA316 ## Probable cause Maintenance personnel’s improper installation and inspection of the crankshaft idler gear, which resulted in a loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Accessory gear-boxes](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058300): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Mcculloch Jerry RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058300/cases.md?model=05623ZA), [All aircraft, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058300/cases.md) - [Maintenance: installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Mcculloch Jerry RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md?model=05623ZA), [All aircraft, 371 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md) - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Mcculloch Jerry RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=05623ZA), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/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 (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Mcculloch Jerry RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05623ZA), [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: [Mcculloch Jerry RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05623ZA), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Mcculloch Jerry RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05623ZA), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that during cruise flight the engine made a popping sound and subsequently experienced a loss of power. He performed an emergency landing on a road and during the landing roll the airplane struck a ditch. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the crankshaft idler gear was missing a lock plate, which likely resulted in the idler gear vibrating loose from the engine case, leading to the loss of engine power. The lock plate was not found and no other anomalies were noted during the examination. An annual conditional inspection on the engine was conducted 10 days prior to the accident; the engine was overhauled about 320 flight hours prior to the accident. Based on the evidence and records, it is likely that the lock plate was not installed during the last overhaul. ## Factual narrative On June 17, 2010, at 1900 eastern daylight time, an amateur-built McCulloch RV-4, N418GM, lost engine power while transitioning over the city of Pageland, South Carolina. The pilot made a forced landing on a road, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to and operated by a commercial pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The commercial pilot received minor injuries. The flight departed Peachtree DeKalb Airport (PDK), Atlanta, Georgia, at 1800. The pilot stated that during cruise flight the engine made a “popping” sound and started to lose power. He contacted air traffic control, declared an emergency, and then made a forced landing on a road. During the landing, the airplane collided with a ditch and hit a road sign. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane landed on a local highway. Examination of the airframe and flight control system components revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction. Examination of the engine revealed that valve train continuity could not be established throughout the engine. Examination of the fuel system revealed that both fuel tanks were nearly full of fuel. Further examination of the fuel system revealed that no water or debris was found in the fuel system. The wreckage was recovered and retained by the NTSB for further examination. Examination of the experimental engine by the NTSB revealed that valve train continuity could not be established throughout the engine. Further examination of the accessory housing revealed that the right magneto was replaced with a crankshaft sensor module and a Light Speed Engineering plasma capacitive discharge ignition system. This system was connected to the upper spark plugs; and when the crankshaft was rotated, spark was noted to the upper leads and spark plugs. The magneto was removed and wear marks were observed on the magneto gear and the engine case. Examination of the left magneto revealed that when the crankshaft was rotated, no spark was observed on the lower plugs. The left magneto was removed and when rotated, spark was observed on the magneto leads ends. The accessory housing was removed to access the accessory gears for further examination. This revealed that the upper crankshaft idler gear was not bolted to the case. Further examination revealed that the bolt and the case bolt holes were elongated and stripped. A review of the Lycoming parts manual pages revealed that the crankshaft idler gear shaft was missing a lock plate. During an examination of the oil sump and all areas within the engine case, the lock plate was not located. No other anomalies were noted during the engine examination. A review of the engine maintenance records revealed that the engine was overhauled by Triad Aviation Incorporated on September 3, 2003. On June 7, 2010an annual conditional inspection was conducted on the engine, and 320.74 hours since overhaul was recorded. There were no other entries were made in the logbooks after the overhaul that addressed the dismantling of the engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N418GM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N418GM-2018-03-23), registration cancelled 2018-03-23, S/N 1447, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MCCULLOCH JERRY RV-4 - Registry model: [Mcculloch Jerry RV-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcculloch-jerry-rv-4) (registry code 05623ZA) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1447 - Airframe hours: 507 - Engines: LYCOMING IO360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Paul D Franzon - Registered owner: Franzon Paul D - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, June 7, 2010 - Departed: PDK, Atlanta, GA - Destination: 78NC, Fuquay Angier, NC ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 30, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 1,509 total, 440 in this make and model, 21 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: EQY, 97 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 20100617035619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100617035619A), Jun 17, 2010: Mcculloch J RV-4, Pageland, SC, Substantial damage. N418GM, a RV-4, broadcasted mayday on 121.5, approximately 10NM west of Pageland airport, SC. Pilot reported aircraft was having engine problems with very… ## Docket (10 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 26, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76355. 5.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 346 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40334018&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Other Pertinent Forms and Reports-Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 140 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344273&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports-Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Other Pertinent Forms and Reports-Logbooks pages N418GM (item 3, .PDF, 915 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344471&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports-Logbooks%20pages%20N418GM-Redacted.PDF - Miscellaneous-Lycoming part manual page (item 4, .PDF, 571 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344274&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Miscellaneous-Lycoming%20part%20manual%20page-Master.PDF - Miscellaneous-Original Traid Aviation engine detail form (item 5, .PDF, 642 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40345564&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Miscellaneous-Original%20Traid%20Aviation%20engine%20detail%20form-Master.PDF - Miscellaneous-Page from overhaul manual (item 6, .PDF, 405 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40345559&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Miscellaneous-Page%20from%20overhaul%20manual-Master.PDF - Photo 1-Accessory Gears (item 7, .PDF, 699 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344269&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201-Accessory%20Gears-Master.PDF - Photo 2-Elongated idler gear treads (item 8, .PDF, 705 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344270&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202-Elongated%20idler%20gear%20treads-Master.PDF - Photo 3-Idler gear_gear shaft_attachment bolts (item 9, .PDF, 443 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344271&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203-Idler%20gear_gear%20shaft_attachment%20bolts-Master.PDF - Photo 4-Right magneto mount (item 10, .PDF, 505 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344272&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204-Right%20magneto%20mount-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.