# NTSB FTW01LA152: Mottier RV-6, N149, Hammond, LA, June 25, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 25, 2001, 10:53 local (15:53 UTC) - Place: Hammond, LA - Coordinates: 30.529447, -90.459434 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5294&lon=-90.4594&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report May 21, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 52556 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW01LA152 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52556/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA152 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control following a loss of engine power. A factor was the loss of engine power during takeoff initial climb for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, emergency landing after takeoff - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot executed a forced landing to a pasture, located approximately 1/4 mile north of the runway, due to a loss of engine power. The pilot walked back to the airport office, inquired who the owner of the field was, and stated he "thought he had a fuel problem." Approximately 45 minutes later, a witness reported seeing the pilot pushing the airplane back to the south part of the pasture. The pilot proceeded to start the engine, and the airplane took off from the pasture. Shortly after takeoff, the airplane turned to the left and the engine lost power again. The airplane "wobbled", rolled inverted, and impacted trees and the ground. Examination of the accident site revealed that the cockpit, cabin area, and engine were consumed by fire. The reason for the loss of engine power was not determined. ## Factual narrative On June 25, 2001, at 1053 central daylight time, a Mottier RV-6 homebuilt airplane, N149, was destroyed after impacting trees and the ground in an uncontrolled descent following a loss of engine power during the initial takeoff climb from a pasture near Hammond, Louisiana. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was fatally injured. The airplane was built and owned by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The airplane had originally departed from the Hammond Municipal Airport at 1000. According to airport personnel, shortly after takeoff, due to a loss of engine power, the pilot executed a forced landing to a pasture, located approximately 1/4 mile north of runway 36. He then walked back to the airport manager's office and inquired who the owner of the field was in order to obtain a key for the pasture gate. In addition, the pilot stated that he "thought he had a fuel problem." Approximately 1045, a witness reported seeing the pilot pushing the airplane to the south end of the pasture. The pilot proceeded to start the engine, and the airplane took off from the pasture. Shortly after takeoff, the airplane turned to the left and the engine lost power again. The airplane "wobbled", rolled inverted, and impacted trees and the ground. An FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, reported that the entire cockpit and cabin area was consumed by fire. The engine, engine accessories, and the wooden propeller were consumed by fire. The outboard sections of both wings and the vertical and horizontal stabilizers were not damaged by fire, however, they sustained impact damage. The single-engine, side-by-side, two place, low-wing Mottier RV-6 airplane was an experimental, homebuilt airplane (serial number CHMJR-2) with tailwheel landing gear. The airplane was equipped with a Lycoming engine that was installed by the builder. The airframe and engine logbooks were not located. The pilot was issued a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating on May 14, 1954, and a third class medical certificate on January 16, 2001, with the limitation, "must wear corrective lenses". According to FAA airmen records, updated on January 19, 2001, the pilot had accumulated 2,760 total flight hours. On August 8, 2000, a repairman experimental aircraft builders certificate was issued to the pilot with limitation, "inspection certificate for experimental aircraft make Mottier Model RV-6, serial number CHMJR-2, certification date: 09 August 2000". The autopsy was performed by the Jefferson Parish Forensic Center in Harvey, Louisiana, on June 26, 2001. There was no evidence of any preexisting disease that may have contributed to the accident. The FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute (CAMI) Forensic Toxicology and Accident Research Center at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma performed toxicological tests which were negative for alcohol, cyanide, and drugs. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N149](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N149-2002-01-15), registration cancelled 2002-01-15, S/N CHMJR-2 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mottier RV-6 - Registry model: [Mottier Charles H JR RV-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/mottier-charles-h-jr-rv-6) (registry code 05626AU) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: CHMJR-2 - Engines: Lycoming reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Charles H. Mottier - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: Hammond, LA - Destination: HDC, Hammond, LA - Airport: HDC, Hammond Muni Airport, runway 36, 5,001 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,760 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: ASD, 33 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 20010625016719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010625016719A), Jun 25, 2001: Amtr RV6, Hammond, LA, No damage. (-23) Pilot perished in accident. 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.