# NTSB FTW81FPG65: Vans RV3, N80LK, Little Rock, AR, September 20, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: September 20, 1981
- Place: Little Rock, AR · LITTLE ROCK, AR
- Location: 34.7465° N, 92.2896° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Little Rock, AR, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7465&lon=-92.2896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 12, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 123225
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW81FPG65
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FPG65

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2498  81/9/20  NR.LITTLE ROCK,AR     VANS RV3            CR-  0  1  0  MISCELLANEOUS             ATP,FLIGHT INSTR., AGE
        TIME - 1800                    N80LK               PX-  0  0  0  TEST                      29, 3223 TOTAL HOURS, 4
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - NORTH LITTLE ROCK
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         LITTLE ROCK,AR               LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           STALL                                                    LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - FUEL SYSTEM: VENTS,DRAINS,TANK CAPS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OBSTRUCTED
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH AIRCRAFT
        PARTIAL POWER LOSS - PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER - 1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING ON AIRPORT/SEAPLANE BASE/HELIPT.
        REMARKS- ACFT HAD HISTORY OF TANKS NOT VENTING PROPERLY.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N80LK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N80LK-1983-02-08), registration cancelled 1983-02-08, S/N 649 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: VANS RV3
- Registry model: [Kampa Lawrence M JR RV-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/kampa-lawrence-m-jr-rv-3) (registry code 05608D7) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: North Little Rock

## 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 19810920063389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810920063389A), Sep 20, 1981: Amtrvn VANSRV3, North Little Ro, AR, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on takeoff, crashed short of runway trying to return. Found vacuum in fuel tank. Cause unknown

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.

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