# NTSB FTW04LA109: Spannagel RV-8A, N82LS, Borger, TX, April 15, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 15, 2004, 16:35 local (21:35 UTC) - Place: Borger, TX - Coordinates: 35.7, -101.39389 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7000&lon=-101.3939&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 59071 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW04LA109 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59071/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA109 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power as a result of inadequate clearance between the journals and bearings. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, approach - vfr pattern - downwind - engine assembly,connecting rod - movement restricted (cause) - engine assembly,bearing - chafed (contributing factor) - engine assembly,crankshaft - movement restricted (cause) - engine assembly,bearing - chafed (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - Undershoot, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The homebuilt airplane landed short of Runway 21 following a loss of engine power after takeoff. The 355-hour private pilot/owner/builder reported that prior to takeoff he pulled into the run-up area and "checked all conditions....and all indications [were] positive." The takeoff was normal until he reached an altitude of 1,200 AGL, when he noticed an increase in oil temperature. The pilot leveled the airplane, and initiated a left crosswind turn, followed by a downwind turn in the traffic pattern. The oil temperature continued to increase toward the red-line mark on the gauge. When the airplane was on the downwind leg, engine power decreased and he was unable to maintain altitude. The pilot extended the flaps to 20 degrees and turned onto a short final approach for Runway 21. The airplane impacted terrain approximately 100 feet short of the landing threshold. Subsequently, the landing gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over, slid for approximately 100 feet, and came to rest in an inverted position at the threshold of Runway 21. Continuity was established for the engine controls and fuel system, and honey-colored oil had exited the carburetor and had pooled around the engine area. The engine oil and engine oil filter were changed approximately 1-hour before the flight. The new Chevrolet V6 4.3 liter liquid cooled automotive engine had accrued a total of five hours at the time of the accident. A normal amount of engine coolant was also observed. Further examination of the engine by the pilot/owner/builder, revealed that the main bearings and connecting rod bearings were partially seized on the engine, and that the clearances between the journals and the bearings were too tight. The bearings exhibited chafing. ## Factual narrative On April 15, 2004, at 1635 central daylight time, a homebuilt Spannagel RV-8A, single-engine airplane, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power at Hutchinson County Airport (BGD), near Borger, Texas. The private pilot/owner/builder, the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. In a written statement, the 355-hour pilot, 1-hour of which was in the accident aircraft, reported that prior to take off he pulled into the run-up area and "checked all conditions....and all indications [were] positive." The take off was normal until he reached an altitude of 1,200 feet above ground level (4,200 feet mean sea level), when he noticed an increase in oil temperature. The pilot leveled the airplane, and initiated a left crosswind turn, followed by a downwind turn in the traffic pattern. The oil temperature continued to increase toward the red-line mark on the gauge. The pilot added that when the airplane was on the downwind leg, engine power decreased and he was unable to maintain altitude. The pilot extended the flaps to 20 degrees and turned onto a short final approach for Runway 21. The airplane impacted terrain approximately 100 feet short of the landing threshold. Subsequently, the landing gear collapsed, the airplane nosed over, slid for approximately 100 feet, and came to rest in an inverted position at the threshold of Runway 21. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector performed an on-scene examination of the airplane and engine. Structural damage was observed to the right wing, rudder, canopy, vertical stabilizer, and propeller. The fuselage was wrinkled. The inspector reported that continuity was established for the engine controls and fuel system, and honey-colored oil had exited the carburetor and had pooled around the engine area. The engine oil and engine oil filter were changed approximately 1-hour before the flight. The new Chevrolet V6 4.3 liter liquid cooled automotive engine had accrued a total of five hours at the time of the accident. A normal amount of engine coolant was also observed. Further examination of the engine by the pilot/owner/builder, revealed that the main bearings and connecting rod bearings were partially seized on the engine, and that the clearances between the journals and the bearings were too tight. The bearings exhibited chafing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N82LS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N82LS-2022-01-11), registration cancelled 2022-01-11, S/N 81013, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Spannagel RV-8A - Registry model: [Spannagel Lawrence E JR RV-8A](https://openairdocs.org/model/spannagel-lawrence-e-jr-rv-8a) (registry code 056157R) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 83013 - Airframe hours: 5 - Engines: Chevrolet V6 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Lawrence E. Spannagel - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, March 27, 2004, 1 hours before - Departed: BGD, Borger, TN - Airport: BGD, Huthinson County, runway 21, 3,898 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; last flight review November 10, 2003; seat: front; flight hours: 355 total, 1 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: BGD ## 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 20040415004789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040415004789A), Apr 15, 2004: Amtr RV8A, Borger, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On April 15, 2004, experimental aircraft N82LS departed on runway 21 in Borger, Texas, (bgd) at approximately 16:15 hours, CDT. After reaching pattern… 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.