# NTSB LAX08CA143: Mason RV-9A, N486EM, Pacific City, OR, May 17, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 17, 2008, 08:35 local (15:35 UTC) - Place: Pacific City, OR - Coordinates: 45.199722, -123.962219 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1997&lon=-123.9622&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 68049 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA143 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68049/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA143 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate flare and failure to maintain control following a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was a temporary partial loss of power due to carburetor icing conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Temp/humidity/pressure: conducive to carburetor icing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Mason Edward R RV-9A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md?model=05621TZ), [All aircraft, 435 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Mason Edward R RV-9A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=05621TZ), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mason Edward R RV-9A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05621TZ), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Engine fuel and control: fuel control/carburetor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Mason Edward R RV-9A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322/cases.md?model=05621TZ), [All aircraft, 195 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Mason Edward R RV-9A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=05621TZ), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Mason Edward R RV-9A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05621TZ), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Mason Edward R RV-9A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05621TZ), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airplane was on final approach in the traffic pattern, when the pilot noticed it was descending too fast. He attempted to increase the engine rpm by pushing the throttle forward. The engine did not respond as he expected, with no increase in rpm occurring from the throttle movement, until just prior to touchdown. The airplane touched down hard on the runway surface, subsequently bouncing back airborne. The airplane touched down again and the pilot experienced a loss of control. The nose landing gear collapsed and the airplane continued to skid; it came to rest inverted. A Meteorological Terminal Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) indicated a temperature of 62.6 degrees Fahrenheit, a dewpoint of 59 degrees Fahrenheit, and a relative humidity of 88 percent. According to a carburetor icing probability chart, these conditions are conducive for serious icing at glide power. ## Factual narrative In a written statement and in telephone conversations with a National Transportation Safety Board investigator, the pilot reported that earlier in the morning he had picked up passengers and was planning a full stop at the destination airport. While on final approach in the traffic pattern, he noted that the airplane was descending too fast. He attempted to increase the engine rpm by pushing the throttle forward. The engine did not respond as he expected, with no increase in rpm occurring from the throttle movement until just prior to touchdown. The airplane touched down hard on the runway surface. The airplane bounced back airborne and the pilot manipulated the throttle full aft to bring the engine to idle. The airplane touched down again and the pilot experienced a loss of control. The nose landing gear collapsed and the airplane continued to skid; it came to rest inverted The closest official weather observation station was 15 miles east of the airport. A Meteorological Terminal Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) issued 5 minutes prior to the accident indicated a temperature of 62.6 degrees Fahrenheit, a dewpoint of 59 degrees Fahrenheit, and a relative humidity of 88 percent. According to a carburetor icing probability chart, these conditions are conducive for serious icing at glide power. The airplane incurred damage to the vertical stabilizer during the accident sequence. The pilot reported that aside from the engine not immediately responding to his throttle control, there were no pre impact mechanical malfunctions or failures. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N486EM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N486EM), registered now, S/N 001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mason RV-9A - Registry model: [Mason Edward R RV-9A](https://openairdocs.org/model/mason-edward-r-rv-9a) (registry code 05621TZ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-series) (registry code 42389, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: UAO, Aurora, OR - Destination: PFC, Pacific City, OR - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: PFC, Pacific City State Airport, runway 32 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 670 total, 91 in this make and model, 38 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 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 20080517836309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080517836309A), May 17, 2008: Amtr RV9A, Pacific City, OR, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot had long descent with engine at idle, he did not clear the carburetor. On short final over the water, the pilot realized he was a little low and… 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.