# NTSB ERA12LA312: Shoup Ronald R RV-6A, N819RS, Milton, FL, April 30, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 30, 2012, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Milton, FL - Coordinates: 30.70861, -87.201385 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.7086&lon=-87.2014&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 - Status: Completed, report May 9, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: Lycoming Engines, FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83514 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12LA312 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83514/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83514 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA312 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## 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: [Shoup Ronald R RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05608RC), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/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: [Shoup Ronald R RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=05608RC), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380); cases with it: [Shoup Ronald R RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=05608RC), [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Shoup Ronald R RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05608RC), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Shoup Ronald R RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05608RC), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airplane began to experience an intermittent loss of engine power during the initial climb, and a witness observed black smoke coming from the engine exhaust. The pilot maneuvered the airplane for a landing to the opposite end of the departure runway; however, he overshot the runway and performed a forced landing to a field. During the forced landing, the nose gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over, came to rest inverted, and was consumed by a postcrash fire. Postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The carburetor, gascolator, fuel pump, and fuel lines were destroyed by fire and could not be examined. The airplane had been operated for about 25 hours since its most recent condition inspection, which was performed about 4 months prior. The weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to serious carburetor icing at glide power; however, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On April 30, 2012, about 1530 central daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built RV-6A, N819RS, operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, after it experienced a partial loss of engine power during the initial climb after takeoff from the J-22 Ranch Airport (16FL), Milton, Florida. The private pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight destined for Bayou La Batre, Alabama. The flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the airplane was issued a special airworthiness certificate on July 30, 1992, and was purchased by the pilot on November 28, 2002. The pilot reported that he departed 16FL from runway 18, a 3,000-foot-long, turf runway; however, during the initial climb, the airplane began to experience an intermittent loss of engine power, which continued during the flight. The pilot maneuvered the airplane for a landing to runway 36; but he overshot the runway and performed a forced landing to a field. During the forced landing, the nose gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed-over and came to rest inverted. The pilot exited the airplane before it was consumed by a postcrash fire. A witness, who observed the takeoff, reported that the engine sounded normal until the airplane began to climb. At that point it began to sound like it was "missing" and he observed black smoke coming from the exhaust. The airplane was equipped with a Lycoming O-320-B1A, 160-horsepower engine. Examination of the airframe and engine by an FAA inspector, and subsequent partial disassembly of the engine by a representative of the engine manufacturer and an NTSB investigator did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The carburetor, gascolator, fuel pump, and fuel lines were destroyed by fire and could not be examined. In addition, the propeller remained attached to the engine and did not display any evidence consistent with rotation. The airplane had been operated for about 25 hours since its most recent condition inspection, which was performed on December 28, 2011. In addition, at the time of the inspection, the engine had been operated for 3,201 hours total time since new, and 117 hours since overhaul. The weather reported at airport located about 10 miles east of the accident site included a temperature of 31 degrees Celsius (C) and a dew point of 18 degrees C. Review of an FAA Carburetor Icing Envelope chart placed the reported temperature and dew point in the "serious icing at glide power" area of the chart. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N819RS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N819RS-2013-10-21), registration cancelled 2013-10-21, S/N 21023, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SHOUP RONALD R RV-6A - Registry model: [Shoup Ronald R RV-6A](https://openairdocs.org/model/shoup-ronald-r-rv-6a) (registry code 05608RC) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 21023 - Airframe hours: 625 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, December 28, 2011, 25 hours before - Departed: 16FL, Milton, FL - Destination: 5R7, Bayou La Batre, AL - Airport: 16FL, J-22 Ranch, runway 36, 3,000 × 200 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 11, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 743 total, 256 in this make and model, 722 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: NDZ, 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 20120430006749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120430006749A), Apr 30, 2012: Shoup Ronald R RV-6A, Milton, FL, Destroyed. Aircraft had departed on runway 18 at (16FL) and had gained approximately 50 feet altitude AGL when the engine started losing power and black smoke appeared… ## Docket (11 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 22, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83514. 9.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 552 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386088&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 256 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386045&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Weather Observations (Whiting Field) (item 3, .PDF, 23 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386077&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Observations%20(Whiting%20Field)-Master.PDF - FAA Carburetor Icing Probability Chart (item 4, .PDF, 255 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386079&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Carburetor%20Icing%20Probability%20Chart-Master.PDF - FAA Airworthiness Certificate and Bill of Sale (item 5, .PDF, 184 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386090&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Airworthiness%20Certificate%20and%20Bill%20of%20Sale-Redacted.PDF - Maintenance Records (excerpts) (item 6, .PDF, 159 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386115&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Records%20(excerpts)%20-Redacted.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 7, .PDF, 73 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386078&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF - Photograph # 1 – Airplane as it came to rest (Provided by FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 704 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386083&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%201%20%E2%80%93%20Airplane%20as%20it%20came%20to%20rest%20(Provided%20by%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photograph # 2 – Forward portion of the airplane as it came to rest (Provided by FAA) (item 9, .PDF, 721 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386084&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%202%20%E2%80%93%20Forward%20portion%20of%20the%20airplane%20as%20it%20came%20to%20rest%20(Provided%20by%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photograph # 3 – Top view of the engine taken at the accident site (Provided by FAA) (item 10, .PDF, 563 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386086&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%203%20%E2%80%93%20Top%20view%20of%20the%20engine%20taken%20at%20the%20accident%20site%20(Provided%20by%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photograph # 4 – View of the propeller and front portion of engine taken during engine disassembly (item 11, .PDF, 5.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386087&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%204%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20the%20propeller%20and%20front%20portion%20of%20engine%20taken%20during%20engine%20disassembly-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.