# NTSB LAX08LA268: Rouse Glasair III, N1YZ, Reno, NV, August 16, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 16, 2008, 07:50 local (14:50 UTC) - Place: Reno, NV - Coordinates: 39.667221, -119.876113 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6672&lon=-119.8761&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 12, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68741 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08LA268 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68741/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08LA268 ## Probable cause The excessively worn throttle/mixture linkage arms and pins and a missing mixture control linkage spring washer, which resulted in a loss of power due to an excessively rich mixture. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine fuel and control: fuel control/carburetor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Rouse Jack G GLASAIR III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322/cases.md?model=056558L), [All aircraft, 195 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Rouse Jack G GLASAIR III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=056558L), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) (defining event); cases with it: [Rouse Jack G GLASAIR III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=056558L), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Rouse Jack G GLASAIR III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=056558L), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that as he turned toward the airport to land, black smoke was coming from under the cowling. The airplane was losing power, airspeed, and altitude; however, he was able to maintain enough airspeed to clear a cliff before touching down short of the runway. The airplane encountered uneven terrain, and the landing gear sheared off. An inspection of the engine revealed that all spark plugs and the entire exhaust path were very sooty, which corresponded to rich operation. Examination of the fuel servo revealed that it had excessively worn throttle/mixture linkage arms and pins. In addition, the mixture control linkage spring washer was missing. This linkage section is vital to maintaining the correct flows at throttle open positions, and the play noted was excessive. ## Factual narrative On August 16, 2008, about 0750 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Glasair III, N1YZ, collided with terrain during a forced landing near Reno/Stead Airport, Reno, Nevada. The owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The certificated airline transport pilot was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The cross-country personal flight departed Minden, Nevada, at an undetermined time with a planned destination of Reno. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot stated that he extended the downwind for landing on runway 26. As he turned to land, black smoke was coming from under the cowling. He said that the airplane was losing power, airspeed, and altitude; however, he was able to maintain enough airspeed to clear a cliff and subsequently land short of the runway. The airplane encountered uneven terrain, and the landing gear sheared off. During the post accident engine inspection, the top spark plugs were removed. No mechanical deformation was noted, however, the plugs were sooty, which corresponded to a rich operation according to the Champion Aviation Check-A-Plug AV-27 Chart. The exhaust path was sooty as well. The crankshaft was manually rotated. The valves moved approximately the same amount of lift in firing order. The gears in the accessory case turned freely. Thumb compression was obtained on all cylinders in firing order. Both magnetos produced spark at all ignition wires in firing order. The fuel injection servo, fuel manifold valve, and fuel injector lines were retained for further examination. During removal, fluid that smelled like aviation gasoline drained from the line from the servo, and from the servo itself. The mixture control moved from stop to stop. During the examination of the fuel control, flow divider, and nozzle tests at Pacific Continental Engines, test personnel noted the following results. The fuel servo flows in pounds per hour (pph) were within acceptable serviceable limits as recommended by Precision Airmotive: 0" at idle cut off - 3 pph 0" - 40 pph 3.6" - 74 pph 15.8" - 165 pph Pacific Continental Engines personnel noted that the fuel servo RSA-10ED, serial number 64893, part number 2524491-8, had excessively worn throttle/mixture linkage arms and pins. In addition, the mixture control linkage spring washer was missing. They indicated that this linkage section is vital to maintaining the correct flows at throttle open positions. They said that the play was excessive. Test personnel inspected the flow divider, serial number M114, part number 79007, and found it acceptable. They did not record flows, but they noted even distribution. The nozzle flows in pph at 12.5 pounds per square inch (psi) were: VE1 = 40 pph VE2 = 36.5 pph (poor spray pattern noted - intermittent) VE3 = 40 pph VE4 = 40 pph VE5 = 40 pph VE6 = 40 pph Test personnel noted that the nozzles were manufactured byGAMI, but there was no documentation in the logbooks. GAMI did not recognize the airplane's registration number when the test personnel inquired. GAMI keeps a record of nozzle kits sold against a registration number (especially if it is under their STC application). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1YZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1YZ-2008-10-31), registration cancelled 2008-10-31, S/N 3037, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Rouse Glasair III - Registry model: [Rouse Jack G GLASAIR III](https://openairdocs.org/model/rouse-jack-g-glasair-iii) (registry code 056558L) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 3037 - Airframe hours: 885 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-S1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: David Cronin - Registered owner: David Cronin - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 13, 2007 - Departed: MEV, Minden, NV - Destination: 4SD, Reno, NV - Airport: 4SD, Reno/Stead, runway 26, 7,608 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 79; injuries: none; airline transport, flight engineer, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 32,000 total, 800 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: RNO, 11 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 20080816843409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080816843409A), Aug 16, 2008: Amtr GLASAIRIII, Reno, NV, Substantial damage. (-23) As pilot started his approach to runway 26, he noticed a C172 on short final. The pilot of N1YZ decided to extend his downwind for separation. At this… 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.