# NTSB LAX06CA035: Vans RV-4, N14GK, Apple Valley, CA, November 12, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 12, 2005, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Apple Valley, CA - Coordinates: 33.575279, -117.186111 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5753&lon=-117.1861&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 62821 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX06CA035 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62821/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06CA035 ## Probable cause a partial loss of engine 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(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - wire,static (cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he struck power wires during an attempted forced landing after a loss of engine power. About 12 to 15 minutes after departure the airplane experienced a partial loss of power and the pilot decided to make an emergency landing on a dirt road. Throughout the descent the engine would momentarily regain then lose power repeatedly. On short final approach, the engine responded and the pilot applied full power. At that moment the aircraft struck the power lines while attempting to climb out. The pilot was able to recover but noticed a 2-foot section of his left wing had been torn off. The pilot was able to maneuver and land at a nearby airport approximately 15 minutes later. The pilot reported that he has not been able to resolve the reason for the engine power loss. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunction of the engine. ## Factual narrative On November 12, 2005, about 1000 Pacific standard time, a Vans RV-4, N14GK, lost partial engine power and struck wires during an attempted emergency landing near Apple Valley, California. The private pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot, the sole occupant, sustained no injuries; the airplane received substantial damage. The local flight departed Hesperia airport about 0935, en route to the North Las Vegas, Nevada, airport. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. In a written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board, the pilot stated that he struck power wires during an attempt to land the aircraft after a partial loss of engine power. About 12 to 15 minutes after departure, the airplane experienced a partial loss of power and the pilot decided to make an emergency landing on a dirt road. Throughout the descent the engine would momentarily regain then lose power repeatedly. On short final approach the engine regained power and the pilot applied full throttle. The aircraft struck the power lines while attempting to climb out. The pilot was able to recover but noticed a 2-foot section of his left wing had been torn off. The pilot was able to maneuver and land at the nearby Apple Valley airport about 1000. The pilot reported that he has not been able to resolve the reason for the engine power loss. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunction of the engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N14GK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N14GK), registered now, S/N 580, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Vans Aircraft RV-4 - Registry model: [Kruggel Ewald G VANS RV-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/kruggel-ewald-g-vans-rv-4) (registry code 05608V5) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-360-series) (registry code 41522, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 580 - Airframe hours: 1010 - Engines: Lycoming AE101BF 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ewald G. Kruggel - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: L26, Hesperia, CA - Destination: KVGT, Las Vegas, NV ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 79; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; seat: front; flight hours: 8,000 total, 990 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg ## 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 20051112029029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051112029029A), Nov 12, 2005: Amtr VANSRV4, Apple Valley, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) On November 12, 2005, at approximately 1000 pacific standard time, a vans RV-4, N14GK, after striking a wire, made a successful emergency landing at… 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.