# NTSB FTW98LA261: Gisclair Murphy Renegade SP, N96VG, Galliano, LA, June 10, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 9, 1998, 19:00 local (Jun 10, 1998, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Galliano, LA - Coordinates: 29.430221, -90.300262 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4302&lon=-90.3003&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20643 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA261 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20643/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA261 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## 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) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis Following a loss of engine power during the initial takeoff climb, the experimental amateur-built airplane impacted the ground in an uncontrolled descent. After the airplane climbed to an altitude of approximately 500 feet agl, the engine rpm dropped from a normal cruise rpm of 5,200 rpm to 4,000 rpm and then to 3,000 rpm. The airplane, which was passing over a cow pasture with bails of hay spaced every 50 to 75 feet, began to lose altitude. The pilot attempted to maintain altitude in order to find a place to land; however, the airplane stalled and impacted the ground in a nose down attitude. Subsequently, a post-crash fire erupted and consumed the airplane. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined due to the extensive fire damage to the engine and airframe. ## Factual narrative On June 9, 1998, at 1900 central daylight time, a Gisclair Murphy Renegade SP amateur-built experimental airplane, N96VG, impacted the ground following a loss of engine power on the initial takeoff climb from the South Lafourche Airport near Galliano, Louisiana. The airplane, which was registered to and operated by the pilot, was destroyed by the impact and a post-crash fire. The private pilot, the sole occupant and builder of the airplane, sustained minor injuries. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 local personal flight. According to the pilot, the Rotax 912UL engine began to "run rough at about 500 feet altitude." The engine rpm dropped from a normal cruise rpm of 5,200 rpm to 4,000 rpm and then to 3,000 rpm. The airplane, which was passing "over a cow pasture with bails of hay every 50 to 75 feet," began to lose altitude. The pilot "tried to maintain altitude in order to find a place to land." The airplane "stalled and the left wing dropped and nosed into the ground." The pilot exited the airplane, and a post-crash fire erupted and consumed the airplane. The pilot and the FAA inspector who examined the wreckage reported that the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined due to the extensive fire damage to the engine and airframe. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N96VG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N96VG-1999-01-11), registration cancelled 1999-01-11, S/N 546 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Gisclair MURPHY RENEGADE SP (MURPHY REN) - Registry model: [Gisclair Victor P JR MURPHY RENEGADE SP](https://openairdocs.org/model/gisclair-victor-p-jr-murphy-renegade-sp) (registry code 05601DL) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 546 - Airframe hours: 130 - Engines: Rotax 912UL 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Victor P. Gisclair Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 20, 1998, 50 hours before - Departed: L49 - Airport: L49, South Lafourche ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 400 total, 130 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F ## 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 19980609046839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980609046839A), Jun 9, 1998: Amtr RENEGADE, Galliano, LA, No damage. (-23) Shortly after take-off engine lost power. RPM fell from 5800 (normal) to 4000, then 3000. A/c will not sustain level flight with this power setting.… 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.