# NTSB LAX97LA040: Moody RV-6, N12033, Cottonwood, AZ, November 14, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 14, 1996, 10:40 local (17:40 UTC) - Place: Cottonwood, AZ - Location: 34.7301° N, 112.0351° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at COTTONWOOD (P52), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7301&lon=-112.0351&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report August 21, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29683 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA040 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29683/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA040 ## Probable cause loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s). ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - downwind - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing ## Analysis The pilot stated that after returning from a local flight, he entered the airport traffic pattern for a landing on runway 32. He said that carburetor heat was pulled on and an initial power change was made from cruise power to 2,200 rpm. After reducing the power further to 1,800 rpm, the engine began to run rough. The pilot attempted to increase engine power; however, the engine continued to run rough until it finally stopped producing power altogether. While the engine problems were occurring, the pilot declared a mayday and attempted to land on runway 14, but he had insufficient altitude and the airplane collided with terrain about 200 yards short of the pavement. The pilot reported that both fuel tanks had been topped off the day before the accident flight, and a preflight check showed no sign of moisture. Postaccident inspection of the engine by an airframe and powerplant mechanic revealed no discrepancy. The temperature at the time of the accident was 59 degrees Fahrenheit, and the dew point was 34 degrees Fahrenheit. Reference to a carburetor icing probablity chart for the temperature/dew point spread revealed that the points were in an area of the chart delineated 'moderate icing cruise power/serious icing glide power.' ## Factual narrative On November 14, 1996, at 1040 hours mountain standard time, a homebuilt experimental Moody RV-6, N12033, collided with the ground during a forced landing near the Cottonwood, Arizona, airport. The forced landing was precipitated by a loss of engine power in the airport traffic pattern. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged in the ground collision sequence. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The flight originated at the Cottonwood airport about 1000 on the day of the accident for a local area personal flight and made an en route stop at the Montezuma airport. The pilot stated in his written report that after returning from a brief flight to the Montezuma airport, he entered the Cottonwood airport traffic pattern for a landing on runway 32. Carburetor heat was pulled on and an initial power change was made from cruise power to 2,200 rpm. After further reducing the power to 1,800 rpm, the engine began to run roughly. The pilot attempted to increase engine power; however, the engine continued to run rough until it finally stopped producing power altogether. While the engine problems were occurring, the pilot declared mayday and attempted to land on runway 14, but had insufficient altitude and collided with the ground 200 yards short of the pavement. The pilot reported that both fuel tanks had been topped off the day before the accident flight by Cottonwood Air Service, and a preflight check showed no signs of moisture. Additionally, the pilot reported that a "RV-6 is hard to slow down - I normally accomplish this by approaching the pattern a bit low and slow down by climbing back to pattern altitude." A postaccident inspection of the engine was conducted by an airframe and powerplant mechanic who reported that "there appeared to be no specific/obvious mechanical reason for the engine failure." His report of the examination is attached. The temperature at the time of the accident was 59 degrees Fahrenheit and the dew point was 34 degrees Fahrenheit. Reference to a carburetor icing probablity chart for the temperature/dew point spread revealed that the points were in an area of the chart delineated "moderate icing cruise power/serious icing glide power." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N12033](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N12033), registered now, S/N 1, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Moody RV-6 - Registry model: [Moody Wallace W RV-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/moody-wallace-w-rv-6) (registry code 056025R) (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: 1 - Airframe hours: 47 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Wallace W. Moody - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 24, 1996, 47 hours before - Departed: 7E7, CAMP VERDE, AZ - Destination: P52 - Airport: P52, Cottonwood, runway 14, 4,250 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 247 total, 51 in this make and model, 197 as pilot in command, 51 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 12 knots - Visibility: 65 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PRC, 20 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 19961114035759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961114035759A), Nov 14, 1996: Amtr RV6, Cottonwood, AZ, Substantial damage. Lost power in pattern. Impact short of runway. No anomalies. Serious carb ice conditions. ## Other investigations on N12033 (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 ERA19TA277](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19TA277), Sep 23, 2019: Vans RV 6 (N12033), Lakeland, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inability to maintain control due to passenger interference. 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.