# NTSB LAX07LA022: Fish Vans RV-6, N1198N, Turlock, CA, October 28, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 28, 2006, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Turlock, CA - Coordinates: 37.4872222222222, -120.696666666667 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4872&lon=-120.6967&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report May 29, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 64805 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07LA022 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64805/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07LA022 ## 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 resulted in a stall/mush. ## 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, takeoff - initial climb - engine assembly,ring - fractured (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency) - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane experienced a partial loss of engine power and collided with the ground during the pilot's attemp to return to the departure runway. After reaching about 500 feet above ground level (agl) in the takeoff initial climb, the pilot noted a loss of engine revolutions per minute (rpm) and a decrease in airspeed. He maneuvered the airplane in a 180-degree turn in an attempt to return to the runway. The airplane stalled and the pilot attempted to recover. The airplane entered an accelerated stall again and descended rapidly. Upon impact, the airplane touched down hard, subsequently nosing over and coming to rest inverted. The pilot performed a post-accident examination of the engine and discovered that both spark plugs in the no. 4 cylinder were oil fouled. Additional investigation found that two of the rings on the number four piston were broken, allowing oil to move past the piston into the combustion chamber. ## Factual narrative On October 28, 2006, about 1600 Pacific daylight time, a Fish Vans RV-6, N1198N, experienced a partial loss of engine power and collided with the ground during an attempted return to runway maneuver at the Turlock Municipal Airport, Turlock, California. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and a passenger sustained serious injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local personal flight was originating at the time of the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. In a written statement, the pilot reported that following the departure roll on runway 30, he configured the airplane for the initial climb. After reaching about 500 feet above ground level (agl), the pilot noted a loss of engine revolutions per minute (rpm) and a decrease of airspeed. He maneuvered the airplane in a 180-degree turn in an attempt to return to the runway. The airplane stalled and the pilot attempted to recover. The airplane entered an accelerated stall again and descended rapidly. Upon impact, the airplane touched down hard, subsequently nosing over and coming to rest inverted. Following the accident, the pilot performed an examination of the engine in an effort to determine the cause of the partial loss of engine power. He noted that both spark plugs on the number 4 cylinder appeared to be oil fouled and the cylinder appeared as though it was not able to produce power. A further examination revealed that two of the piston rings were broken on the number four piston, allowing oil to move past the piston into the combustion chamber. He found the intake tubing for that cylinder loose. The pilot stated that the accident was "pilot error" as it could have been prevented if he had more engine-out practice. ## 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 Vans RV-6 - 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: 1700 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 Series 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, November 1, 2005, 300 hours before - Departed: O15, Turlock, CA - Destination: O15 - Airport: O15, Turlock Municipal Airport, runway 30, 2,985 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 3,285 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 70 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 6 knots, gusting 7 - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: MOD, 14 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 20061028024549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20061028024549A), Oct 28, 2006: Amtr RV6, Turlock, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot eyewitness stated that on initial climbout after take-off, the aircraft made a steep climbing turn (as was the pilot's usual maneuver), and entered… ## 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 LAX01LA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA088), Feb 5, 2001: Fish RV6 (N1198N), Georgetown, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The total loss of engine power due to fracture and separation of the engine crankshaft. 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.