# NTSB LAX01LA088: Fish RV6, N1198N, Georgetown, CA, February 5, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 4, 2001, 16:05 local (Feb 5, 2001, 00:05 UTC) - Place: Georgetown, CA - Coordinates: 38.929008, -120.770172 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9290&lon=-120.7702&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 6, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FLT STNDS DIST OFFICE - NTSB case key (mKey): 51434 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA088 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51434/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA088 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power due to fracture and separation of the engine crankshaft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal - engine assembly,crankshaft - fractured (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly ## Analysis An off-airport emergency landing followed loss of engine power over mountainous terrain. The pilot reported that the engine of the amateur built aircraft lost power while in cruise flight, and, although there was oil pressure, eventually seized before the landing. During the landing in a forest clear cut area, the landing gear impacted a tree trunk and the aircraft nosed over. Post accident disassembly of the engine revealed that the crankshaft separated at the crankshaft cheek between the number 3 and 4 throws. The owner reported he assembled the (experimental) engine himself using Lycoming parts, and that the engine had accumulated 631 flight hours since assembly. The owner was not a certificated powerplant mechanic. ## Factual narrative On February 4, 2001, at 1605 hours Pacific standard time, an amateur built Fish RV6, N1198N, was substantially damaged during an off-airport emergency landing following loss of engine power near Georgetown, California. The private pilot and the sole passenger were not injured. The personal flight departed from Silver Springs, Nevada, at 1500, and was destined for Castle Airport at Atwater, California. The flight was operated by the owner under 14 CFR Part 91, and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot reported that the engine lost power while in cruise flight, and, although there was oil pressure, eventually seized before the landing. During the landing in a forest clear cut area, the landing gear impacted a tree trunk and the aircraft nosed over. Post accident disassembly of the engine revealed that the crankshaft separated at the crankshaft cheek between the number 3 and 4 throws. The owner reported he assembled the (experimental) engine himself using Lycoming parts, and that the engine had accumulated 631 flight hours since assembly. The owner was not a certificated powerplant mechanic. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1198N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1198N-2018-10-22), registration cancelled 2018-10-22, S/N 20540, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Fish RV6 - Registry model: [Fish Dwain Edward RV6](https://openairdocs.org/model/fish-dwain-edward-rv6) (registry code 05604YS) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 20540 - Airframe hours: 1081 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Dwain E. Fish - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, November 27, 2000, 106 hours before - Departed: BO8, Silver Springs, NV - Destination: MER, Atwater, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review April 2, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 2,600 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 2,600 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 2 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: BAB, 30 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 20010204001959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010204001959A), Feb 4, 2001: Amtr RV6, Georgetown, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated engine began running rough and eventually quit. A/c diverted to nearest airport which was Georgetown, CA. A/c attempted emergency landing… ## Other investigations on N1198N (1) 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. - [NTSB LAX07LA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07LA022), Oct 28, 2006: Fish Vans RV-6 (N1198N), Turlock, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: a partial loss of engine power due to the broken piston rings in the no. 4 cylinder. Also causal was the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering for a forced landing, which… 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.