# NTSB SEA08LA098: Kenney RV6, N65MK, Aurora, OR, March 27, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 27, 2008, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Aurora, OR - Coordinates: 45.246944, -122.772224 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.2469&lon=-122.7722&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-climb to cruise: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 67730 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA08LA098 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67730/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08LA098 ## Probable cause A propeller malfunction for undetermined reasons. ## 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: [Kenney Michael J VANS RV6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05612BO), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Terrain: wet/muddy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Kenney Michael J VANS RV6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/cases.md?model=05612BO), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-climb to cruise: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) (defining event); cases with it: [Kenney Michael J VANS RV6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=05612BO), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Kenney Michael J VANS RV6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05612BO), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot departed on a test flight for a propeller installation. The pilot said that during the flight, a malfunction occurred and "the propeller was free-wheeling." The pilot force-landed the airplane in soft, muddy terrain and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot did not provide any information regarding the circumstances of the propeller failure following the accident and the reason for the malfunction was not determined. ## Factual narrative On March 27, 2008, about 1230 Pacific daylight time, a Kenney RV-6, N65MK, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing near Aurora, Oregon. The pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The commercial pilot and one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The pilot departed Aurora State Airport, Aurora, Oregon, about 1220. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, a propeller had recently been installed on the airplane and the pilot was conducting a test flight. The propeller was manufactured by a local propeller company, and the pilot was a co-owner of the company. During the climb to cruise, a malfunction occurred and the propeller was freewheeling. The pilot performed a forced landing in a field; however, the field was covered in water and the ground was soft. After the left landing gear collapsed during the landing roll, the top surface of the right wing was wrinkled and the left wing leading edge was damaged. The day of the accident, the pilot contacted the Safety Board investigator and indicated that the propeller had been installed and he was conducting a test flight. He stated that the propeller was an older model that was equipped with a new set of propeller blades. At the time of the conversation, he did not know why the malfunction occurred. Following this conversation, the Safety Board investigator and FAA inspector attempted to contact the pilot multiple times regarding the circumstances of the accident, but did not receive a response. The pilot did not submit the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the Pilot Operator Report. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N65MK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N65MK-2013-08-27), registration cancelled 2013-08-27, S/N 25253, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Kenney RV6 - Registry model: [Kenney Michael J VANS RV6](https://openairdocs.org/model/kenney-michael-j-vans-rv6) (registry code 05612BO) (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: 25253 - Engines: Textron Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Registered owner: Larry Morgan - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: UAO, Aurora, OR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 3,000 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 10 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,700 ft broken - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.38 inHg - Observed at: UAO, 1 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 20080327014399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080327014399A), Mar 27, 2008: Amtr VANSRV6, Aurora, OR, Substantial damage. (-23) On March 27, 2008, about 1130 pacific daylight time, a vans RV6, N65MK, on a test flight, experienced a failure in the propeller governor. The aircraft… 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.