# NTSB ERA11LA444: Hodges Samuel J RV-7A, N462WP, Paducah, KY, August 7, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 7, 2011, 13:32 local (18:32 UTC) - Place: Paducah, KY - Coordinates: 36.967498, -88.565002 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9675&lon=-88.5650&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 28, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81423 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11LA444 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81423/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81423 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA444 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power during the initial climb for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Hodges Samuel J RV-7A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=056283E), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Not specified; cases with it: [Hodges Samuel J RV-7A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=056283E), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Hodges Samuel J RV-7A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=056283E), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Hodges Samuel J RV-7A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=056283E), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Hodges Samuel J RV-7A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056283E), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The experimental amateur-built airplane was powered by a fuel-injected, automotive-conversion, rotary engine. Following an uneventful preflight inspection and run-up check of the engine, the pilot departed on the accident flight. During the initial climb, about 200 to 300 feet above the ground, the engine began to "stumble" and lost partial power. The pilot responded by selecting the alternate engine control computer and increasing the richness of the mixture, both to no avail. He subsequently performed a forced landing to a nearby road and the airplane struck a mailbox and a ditch during the landing roll. A postaccident test run of the engine was successful, and during 8 months of subsequent troubleshooting by the pilot during the process of rebuilding the airplane, the engine anomaly encountered on the accident flight could not be duplicated or definitively determined. ## Factual narrative On August 7, 2011, at 1332 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built RV-7A, N462WP, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after takeoff from Western Kentucky Airpark (5KY3), Paducah, Kentucky. The certificated private pilot/owner/builder was not injured and the passenger incurred minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight, which was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. After an uneventful preflight inspection and engine start, the pilot taxied the airplane and conducted a pre-takeoff run-up of the engine. During the run-up the pilot tested the dual ignition system and the primary and secondary engine control computers for proper function. Noting no abnormalities, the pilot proceeded with the takeoff. While climbing the airplane at an airspeed of about 100 knots, and about 200 to 300 feet above the ground, the pilot noted that the engine began to "stumble" and lost partial power. The pilot responded by switching engine control computers, richening the mixture, and then began searching for a forced landing site. He did not note any abnormal engine instrument indications, and could not recall the engine's rpm during the descent. During the forced landing to a nearby road, the airplane struck a mailbox and a ditch, damaging the left wing tip and the right wing spar. An experimental amateur-built special airworthiness certificate was issued for the airplane on February 27, 2010. The airplane was powered by an automotive-type, Mazda 13B engine, rated at 200 horse power. The fuel-injected, computer-controlled rotary engine was mated to a gear reduction drive unit and a two-blade constant speed propeller. At the time of the accident the airplane had accumulated 70 total hours of operation, while the engine had accumulated 80 total hours of operation. After the airplane was recovered to the pilot's hangar, the pilot and a Federal Aviation Administration inspector conducted a test run of the airplane's engine on the day following the accident flight. According to the inspector, the engine started immediately and exhibited smooth and continuous operation at an idle power setting. In the 8 months following the accident, the pilot rebuilt the airplane and continued attempts to troubleshoot the loss of power. Despite numerous attempted on-ground test runs at various power settings, including high power settings, the pilot was unable to duplicate or otherwise definitively determine a reason for the loss of power during the accident flight. The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single engine land. He reported 166 total hours of flight experience, 72 hours of which were in the accident airplane make and model. The 1453 recorded weather at Barkley Regional Airport (PAH),Paducah, Kentucky, located about 11 nautical miles northwest of the accident site, included winds from 220 degrees magnetic at 8knots, clear skies, 10 statute miles visibility, temperature 32 degrees C, dewpoint 24 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 29.82 inches of mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N462WP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N462WP), registered now, S/N 71357, built 2010 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HODGES SAMUEL J RV-7A - Registry model: [Hodges Samuel J RV-7A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hodges-samuel-j-rv-7a) (registry code 056283E) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Mazda 13B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/mazda-13b) (registry code 43200, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 71357 - Airframe hours: 70 - Engines: Mazda 13B 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 5KY3, Paducah, KY - Destination: 5KY3, Paducah, KY - Airport: 5KY3, West Kentucky Airpark, runway 22, 2,915 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 6, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 166 total, 72 in this make and model, 140 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.81 inHg - Observed at: PAH, 11 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 20110807015389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110807015389A), Aug 7, 2011: Hodges Samuel J RV-7A, Paducah, KY, Substantial damage. Experimental RV-7A lost power just after takeoff from 5KY3. Made emergency landing on road. Aircraft received damage to both wings & nose gear after impacting… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 16, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81423. 5.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 696 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365797&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Telephone Interview, Builder/Owner/Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 87 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365801&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Builder%2FOwner%2FPilot-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 3, .PDF, 39 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365808&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Airplane From Front Right (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365802&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Airplane%20From%20Front%20Right%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Engine (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365803&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Engine%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.