# NTSB MIA08LA083: Douglas D. Turner Vans RV8, N130X, DeLand, FL, March 28, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 28, 2008, 13:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: DeLand, FL - Coordinates: 29.066944, -81.283889 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.0669&lon=-81.2839&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 67742 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08LA083 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67742/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08LA083 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the unsuitable terrain for a forced landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis During takeoff at 300 feet with the fuel selector positioned to the left tank and an adequate supply of non-contaminated fuel in that tank, the engine experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot maneuvered for a forced landing in a clearing and while descending for a forced landing, the airplane collided with a power line then the ground. The airplane then rolled across a ditch. There were no obstructions of the fuel supply or fuel vent lines for the left fuel tank. Examination of the engine after the accident showed no evidence of failure or malfunction of the engine or engine accessories. ## Factual narrative On March 28, 2008, about 1315 eastern daylight time, an amateur built Vans RV8, N130X, registered to and operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged during a forced landing shortly after takeoff from DeLand Municipal Airport-Sidney H. Taylor Field (DED), DeLand, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight from DED, to Spruce Creek Airport, Port Orange, Florida. The commercial-rated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that during the initial climb at 300 feet, with the fuel selector on the left tank position, the engine quit. He banked to the right and while descending for a forced landing in a clearing, the airplane collided with a single power line. The airplane contacted the ground, rolled approximately 300 feet, then traveled across a ditch. Examination of the airplane following recovery by an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector revealed damage to the fuselage, both wings, and vertical stabilizer. Approximately 12.5 gallons of 100 low-lead fuel were contained in the left fuel tank and approximately 6 gallons of 100 low-lead fuel were contained in the right fuel tank. No fuel contamination was noted, and no obstructions of the fuel supply or fuel vent lines for the left fuel tank were noted. Examination of the engine, and engine accessories consisting of the magnetos revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. The servo fuel injector (fuel servo) and fuel manifold valve were retained by FAA for further examination. The fuel servo and fuel manifold valve were examined at a FAA approved repair station with FAA oversight. The examination of the fuel servo revealed the throttle plate was completely closed (specification is .006 inch gap), and the inlet screen was clean. Bench testing of the fuel servo and fuel manifold valve revealed both flowed within limits. No determination was made as to the reason for the reported loss of engine power. ## Aircraft - Registration: N130X (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Douglas D. Turner Vans RV8 - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 81288 - Airframe hours: 6 - Engines: Continental IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Bruce F. Turner - Registered owner: 130 LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: March 1, 2008 - Departed: DED, DeLand, FL - Destination: 7FL6, Port Orange, FL - Airport: DED, DeLand Municipal Airport, runway 23, 4,301 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2007; seat: front; flight hours: 6,948 total, 7 in this make and model, 6,700 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: KDAB, 14 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 20080328836729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080328836729A), Mar 28, 2008: Amtr RV8, Deland, FL, Destroyed. (-23) Aircraft was in phase 1 flight test period, departed ded on runway 23. After a normal runup and takeoff aircraft obtained approximately 300 ft of… 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.