# NTSB ERA21FA229: Munson Roger J RV-8, N284RM, Van Cleve, KY, May 24, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report - Date: May 24, 2021, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Van Cleve, KY · In a ravine next to a stream - Coordinates: 37.617145, -83.388906 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6171&lon=-83.3889&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: Lycoming Engines, FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 103135 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA21FA229 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103135/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103135 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21FA229 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to loss of engine oil pressure. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng oil sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058550): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Munson Roger J RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058550/cases.md?model=05617K5), [All aircraft, 130 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058550/cases.md) - [Fluids: oil](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Munson Roger J RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md?model=05617K5), [All aircraft, 174 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Munson Roger J RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05617K5), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Munson Roger J RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05617K5), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis During a cross-country flight at cruise altitude, the pilot reported a loss of engine oil pressure and loss of engine power to air traffic control and subsequently performed a forced landing to a field. The airplane impacted the ground and the wreckage was partially consumed by a post impact fire. Examination of the wreckage revealed oil staining on a portion of the horizontal stabilizer and broken pieces of the windscreen that were found at the site. Examination of the engine revealed that with the exception of the oil sump, which had been partially consumed by the postimpact fire, the crankcase, cylinders were intact, and continuity of the crankshaft and valvetrain were confirmed. The examination also found that an oil line connecting the engine to an aftermarket oil valve had separated, though it could not be determined if the separation occurred prior to, or as a result of the airplane’s impact with the ground. Overall, the engine did not display signatures consistent with a catastrophic loss of engine power and accompanying breach of the engine crankcase. Given the pilot’s report of a loss of oil pressure (and loss of engine power), and the oil staining observed on the wreckage, it is likely that such a failure was imminent. Given the extent of the fire damage to the engine, the reason for the loss of oil pressure could not be determined. A review of the pilot’s pathological information revealed the presence of ethanol, which was most likely from postmortem production rather than ingestion. Therefore, the presence of ethanol did not contribute to the circumstances of the accident. ## Factual narrative On May 24, 2021, about 1330 central daylight time, an amateur built Rans RV-8, N284RM, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Van Cleve, Kentucky. The private pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight originated from Haller Airpark (7FL4), Green Cove Springs, Florida, on a visual flight rules (VFR) flight and made a fuel stop at Pickens County Airport (LQK), Pickens, South Carolina. According to air traffic control (ATC) data provided by the Federal Aviation Administration, the airplane departed LQK, then made a climbing left turn followed by a series of turns while gradually ascending to about 9,000 ft. The flight continued under VFR until ATC assigned a transponder code for flight following. The airplane maintained this code for the remainder of the flight while flying northbound. Upon reaching the vicinity of Van Cleve, the pilot declared an emergency, reporting a loss of oil pressure and loss of engine power. ATC informed the pilot about an airport located to the airplane’s "2 o'clock and 3 miles." The pilot stated that he did not have the airport in sight and chose to perform a forced landing in a field instead. The airplane entered a 270° turn while descending, with the ground speed decreasing, until flight track data was no longer available. WRECKAGE EXAMINATION The wreckage came to rest on a heading of 353°, and all structural components of the airplane were located at the accident site. The accident site contained all flight control surfaces, and flight control continuity was observed from the surfaces to the fire-damaged area within the cockpit. The fuselage from the firewall to approximately two feet from the empennage was destroyed by the post-impact fire. The engine also displayed significant fire damage. The flight instruments and flight controls within the cockpit were also destroyed by the fire. Additionally, the main landing gear were sheared off from the fuselage. Both propeller blades were broken from the hub and found in the impact crater, along with the spinner and pieces of the nose cone. The propeller governor was separated from the engine and partially consumed in the post-impact fire. The wings were destroyed by fire, although remnants of the wing root structure remained attached to the fuselage. Some parts of the flight control surfaces were observed still connected to the wing structures. Examination of the empennage revealed fire damage, with both the horizontal and vertical stabilizers being attached to the empennage but showing signs of impact and fire damage. Burnt oil streaks were discovered on the right horizontal stabilizer and elevator. Notably, fresh oil was observed on broken pieces of the windscreen at the wreckage site. The engine crankcase and cylinders were intact and the engine's accessory section was fire damaged. The rear-mounted accessories, rocker covers, and upper spark plugs were removed. Thecrankshaft was rotated about 2 degrees by turning the propeller hub. After the accessory case was removed the crankshaft could be rotated through 360 degrees of rotation by turning the propeller hub. Continuity of the crankshaft to the rear gears and to the valve train was confirmed. Compression and suction were observed from all four cylinders. The interiors of the cylinders were observed through a lighted borescope and no anomalies were observed. Components in the accessory section, as well as the oil and fuel lines, also showed signs of fire damage. One of the oil lines connecting the engine to an aftermarket oil valve was broken at the attachment fitting, but due to the fire damage, it could not be determined if the failure occurred before or after ground impact. The oil valve itself was also fire damaged. The engine’s oil sump was partially consumed by the post-impact fire. A review of a maintenance logbook excerpt revealed that the oil valve had been “resealed” on March 25, 2021.The oil valve (Christen 802) was part of an accessory kit for Lycoming engines that provided normal engine lubrication with minimal oil loss during aerobatic flight. It functioned as a self-contained extension of the normal engine oil and breather systems. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION According to the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, the cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries, and the manner of death was accident. Toxicology testing performed by the FAA’s Forensic Sciences Laboratory identified 0.010 gm/dl of ethanol in cavity blood but none in brain or muscle. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N284RM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N284RM), registered now, S/N 81670 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MUNSON ROGER J RV-8 - Registry model: [Munson Roger J RV-8](https://openairdocs.org/model/munson-roger-j-rv-8) (registry code 05617K5) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 81670 - Year built: 2004 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: LQK, Pickens, SC - Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed, with waivers/limitations; toxicology performed; flight hours: 200 total, 10 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.24 inHg - Observed at: JKL, 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 20210524010019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210524010019A), May 24, 2021: Munson Roger J RV-8, Vancleve, KY, Destroyed, 1 fatal. On may 24, 2021 at 1533Z, N284RM an amateur built RV-8 aircraft contacted indianapolis center indicating he had lost oil pressure and shortly after that the… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 30, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103135. 10.6 MB in all. - Airframe and engine examination summary (item 1, PDF, 3 pages, 217 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15806329&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Airframe%20and%20Engine%20examination%20FA229-Rel.pdf - Maintenance logbook excerpts (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15806854&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N284RM%20MX%20logbook%20excerpts_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Christen oil valve parts list (item 3, PDF, 5 pages, 266 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15806772&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Christen%20Oil%20Valve%20parts%20excerpt-Rel.pdf - Toxicological report (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 166 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15819182&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Tox%20report%20FA229_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Statement of party representatives to NTSB investigation (item 5, PDF, 14 pages, 771 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15809834&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Lycoming%20Party%20%20Form%201_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigative photos (item 6, PDF, 6 pages, 6.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15819579&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photos%20FA229-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 7, PDF, 2 pages, 506 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15832973&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Wreckage%20Release%20N284RM_Redacted-Rel.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.