# NTSB MIA02LA169: Charles Maxted RV6, N440CM, Bay Minette, AL, September 16, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 16, 2002, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Bay Minette, AL - Coordinates: 30.870277, -87.817497 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.8703&lon=-87.8175&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 55733 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA02LA169 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55733/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA02LA169 ## Probable cause The intentional operation of the airplane with known deficiencies with the right magneto resulting in the partial loss of engine power during the initial climb. ## 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 - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - intentional, pilot in command (cause) - ignition system,ignition points - closed - Gear collapsed, takeoff - aborted - landing gear - overload ## Analysis The pilot stated that during a previous flight, the engine rpm decreased 150 to 175 rpm after switching fuel tanks. He elected to land at the Bay Minette Municipal Airport. While there, 5 gallons of 100 low lead fuel were added and he talked with a mechanic at the airport. He also performed an engine run-up and the engine sounded, "...OK. Not rough as before." He decided to depart intending to climb to 3,000 or 4,000 feet, remaining close to the airport, before deciding to continue to the initial intended destination airport. The engine ran OK until just after liftoff, when the engine began to run rough again. He aborted the takeoff, and landed uneventfully but was unable to stop the airplane on the runway. He intentionally ground looped the airplane to avoid a fence and a 8-foot embankment. The pilot stated to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector-in-charge (FAA-IIC), that after landing at Bay Minette, he ran the engine which ran rough. Maintenance personnel at Bay Minette advised him that he had a bad right magneto, and repairs could be performed. He (pilot) again ran the engine reporting no magneto drop during the run. He elected to takeoff and continue to his original destination airport. Following recovery of the airplane, in the presence of the FAA-IIC, the engine was started but could only be operated to between 1,000 and 1,200 rpm due to damage to the engine mount. During the engine run, a magneto check was performed but a rpm decrease could not be detected. Examination of the right magneto revealed that the points were not opening resulting in an inoperative magneto. ## Factual narrative On September 16, 2002, about 1500 central daylight time, a homebuilt RV6, N440CM, registered to a private individual, experienced collapse of both main landing gears during an aborted takeoff from the Bay Minette Municipal Airport, Bay Minette, Alabama. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private-rated pilot and one passenger were not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that during a previous flight, the engine rpm decreased 150 to 175 rpm after switching fuel tanks. He elected to land at the Bay Minette Municipal Airport. While there, 5 gallons of 100 low lead fuel were added and he talked with a mechanic at the airport. He also performed an engine run-up and the engine sounded, "...OK. Not rough as before." He decided to depart intending to climb to 3,000 or 4,000 feet, remaining close to the airport, before deciding to continue to the initial intended destination airport. The engine ran OK until just after liftoff, where the engine began to run rough again. He aborted the takeoff, and landed uneventfully but was unable to stop the airplane on the runway. He intentionally ground looped the airplane to avoid a fence and a 8-foot embankment. The pilot stated to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector-in-charge (FAA-IIC), that after landing at Bay Minette, he ran the engine which ran rough. Maintenance personnel at Bay Minette advised him that he had a bad right magneto, and repairs could be performed. He (pilot) again ran the engine reporting no magneto drop during the run. He elected to takeoff and continue to his original destination airport. Following recovery of the airplane, in the presence of the FAA-IIC, the engine was started but could only be operated to between 1,000 and 1,200 rpm due to damage to the engine mount. During the engine run, a magneto check was performed but a rpm decrease could not be detected. Examination of the right magneto revealed that the points were not opening resulting in an inoperative magneto. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N440CM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N440CM-2007-01-23), registration cancelled 2007-01-23, S/N 20539, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Charles Maxted RV6 - Registry model: [Maxted Charles RV6](https://openairdocs.org/model/maxted-charles-rv6) (registry code 05603ML) (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: 20539 - Airframe hours: 165 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Glenn F. Bryars - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, November 17, 2001, 72 hours before - Departed: 1R8, Bay Minette, AL - Destination: 5R7, Bayou La Batre, AL - Airport: 1R8, Bay Minette Municipal, runway 08, 4,280 × 80 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review January 18, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 397 total, 152 in this make and model, 330 as pilot in command, 81 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 9 knots - Visibility: 2 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 77 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: KBFM, 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 20020916025689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020916025689A), Sep 16, 2002: Amtr RV6, Bay Minette, AL, Substantial damage. (.19) On September 16, 2002, about 1500 central daylight time, a homebuilt RV6, N440CM, registered to a private individual, experienced collapse of both main… 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.