# NTSB LAX04LA101: Scott RV-8A, N809RS, Lihue, HI, January 18, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 18, 2004, 08:50 local (18:50 UTC) - Place: Lihue, HI - Location: 21.9722° N, 159.3560° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lihue, HI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB coordinates: 21.799999, -159, outside the stated state - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.9722&lon=-159.3560&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 28, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 58648 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04LA101 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58648/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA101 ## Probable cause the engine lost partial power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, descent - normal - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Ditching, emergency landing - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The airplane was ditched in the ocean following a partial loss of engine power. During the initial descent into the destination airport, the pilot noted a "faint rumble and then the manifold pressure and rpm reduced very smoothly." He changed fuel tanks, turned the fuel pump into the "ON" position, and "moved" the throttle; however, full engine power was not restored. The engine was idling about 1200 rpm, the oil pressure gage indicated 40, and the fuel pressure gage was indicating normal. The pilot transmitted a "Mayday" call. He continued to troubleshoot the problem by turning the ignition to the "OFF" position, then to the "ON" position. The manifold pressure and rpm did not change. After securing the ELT and a life vest, the pilot opened the canopy when the airplane was approximately 200 feet asl. The airplane impacted the ocean at 50 knots. The pilot then swam out to the tail of the airplane. The airplane sank in about 3 minutes. ## Factual narrative On January 18, 2004, about 0850 Hawaiian standard time, a Scott RV-8A experimental airplane, N809RS, was ditched in the ocean following a loss of engine power, approximately 25 miles southeast of Lihue, Hawaii. The pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The airline transport pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane was destroyed. The inter-island personal cross-country flight departed the Honolulu International Airport (HNL), Honolulu, at 0820, destined for Lihue. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. In a written statement, the pilot reported that during the descent into Lihue, he noted a "faint rumble and then the manifold pressure and rpm reduced very smoothly." He changed fuel tanks, turned the fuel pump into the "ON" position, and "moved" the throttle. The engine was idling about 1200 rpm, the oil pressure gage indicated 40, and the fuel pressure gage was indicating normal. The pilot transmitted a "Mayday" call. He continued to troubleshoot the problem by turning the ignition to the "OFF" position, then to the "ON" position. The manifold pressure and rpm did not change. After securing the electronic locator transmitter (ELT) and a life vest, the pilot opened the canopy; the airplane was approximately 200 feet above sea level (asl). The airplane impacted the ocean at 50 knots. The airplane flipped over, with the nose positioned down at a 45-degree angle. The pilot then swam out to the tail of the airplane. The airplane sank in about 3 minutes. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N809RS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N809RS-2013-08-06), registration cancelled 2013-08-06, S/N 80960, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Scott RV-8A - Registry model: [Allen Scott E JR VANS RV-8A](https://openairdocs.org/model/allen-scott-e-jr-vans-rv-8a) (registry code 05607UT) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 80960 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert Justman - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 17, 2003 - Departed: HNL, Honolulu, HI - Destination: HLI, Lihue, HI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: minor; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review April 11, 2003; seat: front; flight hours: 19,088 total, 25 in this make and model, 13,552 as pilot in command, 362 in the last 90 days, 188 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: HLI, 25 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 20040118019269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040118019269A), Jan 18, 2004: Amtr RV8A, Lihue, HI, Destroyed. (-23) On January 18, 2004 at approximately 1855Z aircraft N809RS on descent to Lihue Airport, leaving 4500FT, pilot encountered a loss of power. Pilot… 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.