# NTSB LAX07LA197: Evenson Roger J Vans RV-9A, N394RS, Tucson, AZ, June 29, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 29, 2007, 05:25 local (12:25 UTC) - Place: Tucson, AZ - Coordinates: 32.1422222222222, -111.174722222222 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1422&lon=-111.1747&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 March 31, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 66119 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07LA197 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66119/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07LA197 ## Probable cause the loss of engine power during takeoff-initial climb, which resulted from the owner/builder's improper adjustment of the supercharger waste gate valve, that resulted in the failure of the waste gate servo motor. ## 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 - exhaust system,wastegate - failure (cause) - maintenance,adjustment - improper, owner/builder (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - soft - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis During the takeoff initial climb, the pilot noted a high manifold pressure, and engaged the supercharger pressure override, but the manifold pressure remained the same. The engine began to lose power, and the airplane was no longer able to sustain a climb. The pilot attempted an emergency landing. During the landing sequence, the main gear hit brush and soft dirt, the nose gear dug in, and the airplane nosed over, coming to rest inverted. The airplane was powered by an Eggenfellner EJ-25, which was a water cooled, four cylinder, supercharged, Subaru automobile engine converted for aircraft use. Post accident examination of the engine revealed that a failed waste gate servo motor had prevented the waste gate valve from opening. Prior to the accident, the pilot adjusted the waste gate valve such that it was allowed to go over center and stick, causing failure of the servo motor. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 29, 2007, at 0525 mountain standard time, an Evenson Roger J Vans RV-9A experimental airplane, N394RS, suffered a loss of engine power and collided with terrain during a forced landing near Tucson, Arizona. The pilot, who was the owner and builder, was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local area personal flight departed Ryan Field Airport, Tucson, at 0522. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed; no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported an uneventful pre-flight run-up; however, shortly after takeoff, the engine began to run rough. He noted a high manifold pressure warning light, and observed the manifold pressure to be 40 inches. He engaged the supercharger pressure override, but the manifold pressure remained the same. The engine began to lose power, and the airplane was no longer able to sustain a climb. Approximately 400 feet agl, the pilot began a gentle left turn, but believing he would not make the airport, elected to land 1 mile east in desert terrain. During the landing sequence, the main gear hit brush and soft dirt, the nose gear dug in, and the airplane nosed over, coming to rest inverted. AIRPLANE INFORMATION The airplane was powered by an Eggenfellner EJ-25, which was a water cooled, four cylinder, supercharged, Subaru automobile engine converted for aircraft use. The pilot/builder examined the engine after the accident, and found the wastegate valve in the closed position. He stated that he was able to move the valve freely by hand. He tested the electrical wiring to the wastegate servo motor, and found no defects. He then tested the wastegate servo motor, and found that it would not respond to electrical input. A representative of the engine manufacturer stated that prior to the accident, the pilot adjusted the wastegate valve such that it was allowed to go over center and stick. The over center condition had caused the 2-amp servo motor fuse to blow on two separate occasions. He further stated that the under these overload conditions, the servo motor most likely sustained damage that ultimately caused it to fail. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N394RS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N394RS-2007-11-26), registration cancelled 2007-11-26, S/N 90534, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Evenson Roger J VANS RV-9A - Registry model: [Evenson Roger J VANS RV-9A](https://openairdocs.org/model/evenson-roger-j-vans-rv-9a) (registry code 05621HA) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 90534 - Airframe hours: 50 - Engines: Eggenfellner EJ-25 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Roger Evenson - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, March 1, 2007, 50 hours before - Departed: RYN, TUCSON, AZ - Airport: RYN, Ryan Field Airport, runway 6R, 5,500 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 236 total, 57 in this make and model, 182 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: TUS, 12 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 20070629012919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070629012919A), Jun 29, 2007: Amtr RV9A, Tucson, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) On June 29, 2007, at approximately 0530 MST, a homebuilt experimental vans RV-9A, N394RS, was substantially damaged in a collision with terrain following… 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.