# NTSB LAX02LA256: Dodd RV-4, N62VR, Tehachapi, CA, August 21, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 21, 2002, 13:59 local (20:59 UTC) - Place: Tehachapi, CA - Coordinates: 35.134998, -118.439445 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1350&lon=-118.4394&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 September 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 55547 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA256 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55547/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA256 ## Probable cause the owner/builder's improperly fabricated and installed fuel line, which cracked at the point of the flare, resulting in a fuel leak and loss of engine power during the takeoff climb. A contributing factor was the soft terrain that jammed the landing gear wheels, nosing over the airplane during the ensuing forced landing. ## 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, takeoff - initial climb - fuel system,line - cracked (cause) - fluid,fuel - leak (cause) - maintenance,installation - improper, owner/builder (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - landing gear,wheel - jammed (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane nosed over during a forced landing in a field following a loss of engine power during the departure climb. The pilot manufactured the airplane, and it was undergoing its first test flight following the issuance of a Special Airworthiness Certificate. Approximately 10 minutes after takeoff the engine lost power. The pilot elected to land in a field. The landing forced debris into the wheel pants, which locked up the wheels. The airplane nosed over coming to rest inverted. Post accident examination of the engine by an FAA inspector revealed a fuel leak around the "B" nut that attached the aluminum fuel line to the throttle body. Removal of the nut and line revealed that the line cracked at the point of the flare. The builder had manufactured and installed this line. ## Factual narrative On August 21, 2002, at 1359 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Dodd RV-4 airplane, N62VR, nosed over during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during the initial climb out from the Tehachapi Municipal Airport (TSP), Tehachapi, California. The airplane, operated by the owner/builder under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, sustained substantial damage. The pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area test flight, which departed about 10 minutes earlier. A flight plan had not been filed. In a written statement, the pilot stated that approximately 10 minutes after takeoff the "engine quit." He executed an emergency landing into an uncultivated field about 1/4 mile southeast of the airport. The landing forced debris into the wheel pants, which locked up the wheels. The airplane nosed over, coming to rest upside down. The pilot manufactured the airplane, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a Special Airworthiness Certificate on August 17, 2002. It was undergoing its first test flight for Phase 1 flight testing required by FAR Part 91.319. The FAA inspector who responded to the accident interviewed the pilot. The pilot stated that prior to takeoff he did a number of full power ground runs followed by two high-speed taxi tests. After takeoff the engine began to surge and run rough. The pilot richened the mixture; however, the engine lost power. The FAA inspector examined the airplane on August 22, 2002. The airplane had been moved to a hangar. Post accident examination of the engine revealed a fuel leak from a "B" nut of an aluminum hard line that supplied metered fuel to the throttle body. The inspector removed this line, and found a crack at the point of the flare. The builder had manufactured and installed this line. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N62VR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N62VR-2017-06-20), registration cancelled 2017-06-20, S/N 1051, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Dodd RV-4 - Registry model: [Dodd Lee P JR RV-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/dodd-lee-p-jr-rv-4) (registry code 05614PH) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1051 - Airframe hours: 0.3 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Lee P. Dodd - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 29, 2002, 0.3 hours before - Departed: TSP, Tehachapi, CA - Destination: TSP, Tehachapi, CA - Airport: TSP, Tehachapi Municipal, runway 11, 4,035 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 1, 2001; seat: front; flight hours: 2,939 total, 12 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command, 66 in the last 90 days, 52 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 10 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: MHV, 15 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 20020821022349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020821022349A), Aug 21, 2002: Amtr RV4, Tehachapi, CA, Substantial damage. (.19) On August 21, 2002, at 1359 pacific daylight time, an experimental dodd RV-4 airplane, N62VR, lost engine power during the initial climb-out from the… 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.