# NTSB SEA05LA118: Rash Vans RV-6A, N330CJ, Palouse, WA, June 16, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 15, 2005, 17:10 local (Jun 16, 2005, 00:10 UTC) - Place: Palouse, WA - Coordinates: 46.888053, -117.099998 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8881&lon=-117.1000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 61723 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA05LA118 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61723/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05LA118 ## Probable cause Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Rising terrain was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that everything was normal for the start and taxi. During the takeoff roll from runway 22, the aircraft accelerated, however, when the aircraft rotated and lifted off, the engine lost partial power. The pilot continued to fly the aircraft, however, it would not climb or accelerate and was on the edge of a stall. The aircraft traveled toward rising terrain, eventually colliding with the ground about one mile from the airstrip. A post-crash fire consumed the wreckage. The Subaru EJ 2500, 210 hp engine was severely heat distressed during the post-crash fire. The engine was subsequently inspected and torn down. During the inspection, the propeller hub was disassembled and impact marks were noted. It was determined that the propeller appeared to be in high pitch at impact. The composite propeller blades were broken off. It was also noted that the hub electric motor was impact damaged and would not turn. Disassembly found one brush damaged. At the end of the inspection, there was no conclusive evidence to determine the cause of the loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On June 15, 2005, about 1710 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Rash Vans RV-6A, N330CJ, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, experienced a loss of engine power shortly after liftoff from a private airstrip located about two miles south of Palouse, Washington. The aircraft subsequently collided with rising terrain and was destroyed by a post-crash fire. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. The flight was departing to Lewiston, Idaho. During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to accumulate flight time to satisfy the 40 hour test flight requirements for the newly completed aircraft. The aircraft had accumulated approximately 36 hours at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that he initially took off from Moscow, Idaho, and flew various flight maneuvers for about one hour before landing at the private airstrip south of Palouse. After stopping for dinner, he then started, taxied and accomplished a run-up before takeoff. The pilot reported that everything was normal up to this point. During the takeoff roll from runway 22, the aircraft accelerated, however, when the aircraft rotated and lifted off, the engine lost partial power. The pilot continued to fly the aircraft, however, it would not climb or accelerate and was on the edge of a stall. The aircraft traveled toward rising terrain, eventually colliding with the ground about one mile from the airstrip. A post-crash fire consumed the wreckage. The Subaru EJ 2500, 210 hp engine was severely heat distressed during the post-crash fire. The engine was subsequently transported to Arlington, Washington, for inspection and teardown. During the inspection, the propeller hub was disassembled and impact marks were noted. It was determined that the propeller appeared to be in high pitch at impact. The composite propeller blades were broken off. It was also noted that the hub electric motor was impact damaged and would not turn. Disassembly found one brush damaged. At the end of the inspection, there was no conclusive evidence to determine the reason for the loss of engine power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N330CJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N330CJ-2005-12-14), registration cancelled 2005-12-14, S/N 60524, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Rash Vans RV-6A - Registry model: [Rash Wesley J VANS RV-6A](https://openairdocs.org/model/rash-wesley-j-vans-rv-6a) (registry code 05611SA) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 60524 - Airframe hours: 36 - Engines: Subaru EJ-2500 210 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Wesley J. Rash - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: Palouse, WA - Destination: LWS, Lewiston, ID - Airport: runway 220, 2,600 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; last flight review August 1, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 1,450 total, 43 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days, 46 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: PUW, 8 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 20050615011329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050615011329A), Jun 15, 2005: Amtr VANSRV6A, Palouse, WA, Destroyed. (-23) On 06-15-2005 at approximately 1710 hours, the pilot, [privacy data omitted] was attempting a take-off from a Private airstrip approximately 3 miles… 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.