# NTSB ERA13CA375: Mark C Pauls RV-7A, N411AK, Cortland, NY, August 25, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 25, 2013, 15:22 local (19:22 UTC) - Place: Cortland, NY - Coordinates: 42.592498, -76.214721 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5925&lon=-76.2147&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 19, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FSDO/FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 87860 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA375 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87860/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87860 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA375 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power during go-around due to incorrect maintenance of the fuel system by the pilot/builder. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine fuel and control: fuel controlling system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057320): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Pauls Mark C RV-7A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057320/cases.md?model=05627LZ), [All aircraft, 59 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057320/cases.md) - [Maintenance: replacement](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062020): Personnel issues › Task performance · Owner/builder (probable cause); cases with it: [Pauls Mark C RV-7A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062020/cases.md?model=05627LZ), [All aircraft, 70 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Pauls Mark C RV-7A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=05627LZ), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Pauls Mark C RV-7A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05627LZ), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was also the owner/builder of the amateur-built experimental airplane. He had removed and reinstalled the engine after the airplane experienced a propeller strike. The accident flight was the first flight after the engine was reinstalled. According to the pilot, he performed high-speed taxi runs, followed by a normal takeoff. After takeoff, the pilot climbed to altitude and confirmed the flight controls were functioning properly. He then entered the airport traffic pattern and on his first attempt to land, he performed a go-around. On his second attempt to land, the pilot reported that everything seemed normal, but he was fast on the approach and decided to add power for another go-around. The engine didn’t respond, so he proceeded straight ahead and secured the engine. The airplane landed past the departure end of the runway in a grassy area. The nose wheel dug into the ground and the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. Postaccident examination by Federal Aviation Administration Inspectors revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and the castle nut that attached the throttle arm to the fuel servo was missing a cotter pin. ## Factual narrative The pilot was also the owner/builder of the amateur-built experimental airplane. He had removed and reinstalled the engine after the airplane experienced a propeller strike. The accident flight was the first flight after the engine was reinstalled. According to the pilot, he performed high-speed taxi runs, followed by a normal takeoff. After takeoff, the pilot climbed to altitude and confirmed the flight controls were functioning properly. He then entered the airport traffic pattern and on his first attempt to land, he performed a go-around. On his second attempt to land, the pilot reported that everything seemed normal, but he was fast on the approach and decided to add power for another go-around. The engine didn’t respond, so he proceeded straight ahead and secured the engine. The airplane landed past the departure end of the runway in a grassy area. The nose wheel dug into the ground and the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. Postaccident examination by Federal Aviation Administration Inspectors revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and the castle nut that attached the throttle arm to the fuel servo was missing a cotter pin. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N411AK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N411AK), registered now, S/N 71945 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MARK C PAULS RV-7A - Registry model: [Pauls Mark C RV-7A](https://openairdocs.org/model/pauls-mark-c-rv-7a) (registry code 05627LZ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17045, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 71945 - Airframe hours: 83 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Mark C Pauls - Registered owner: Mark C Pauls - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, July 6, 2013, 0 hours before - Departed: N03, Cortland, NY - Destination: N03, Cortland, NY - Airport: N03, Cortland County Arpt, runway 24, 3,400 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: minor; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 15, 2013; seat: left; flight hours: 2,115 total, 83 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.31 inHg - Observed at: ITH, 12 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 20130825016839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130825016839A), Aug 25, 2013: Pauls Mark C RV-7A, NY, Substantial damage. Pilot is the holder of a repairman certificate. Pilot installed the engine two days earlier. Pilot did not install cotter pin (18) as per parts catalog manual.… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 4, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87860. 3.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 771 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40399957&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum for Record (FAA-substantial damage) (item 2, .PDF, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40400557&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20(FAA-substantial%20damage)-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record (FAA-throttle linkage examination) (item 3, .PDF, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40400558&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20(FAA-throttle%20linkage%20examination)-Master.PDF - Aircraft Maintenance Records (item 4, .PDF, 138 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40400116&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aircraft%20Maintenance%20Records-Redacted.PDF - Photograph #1: Front view of airplane (Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 94 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40400117&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%231%3A%20Front%20view%20of%20airplane%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photograph #2: Throttle Linkage (Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40399960&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%232%3A%20Throttle%20Linkage%20(Courtesy%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.