# NTSB SEA90LA162: Vaden SA102 Cavalier, N70JV, Tumwater, WA, August 12, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 11, 1990, 17:10 local (Aug 12, 1990, 00:10 UTC)
- Place: Tumwater, WA
- Coordinates: 47.100543, -123.059463 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1005&lon=-123.0595&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 10, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41262
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA162
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41262/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA162

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED DURING TAKEOFF FOLLOWING AN ENGINE LOSS OF POWER. THE REASON FOR THE LOSS OF POWER WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## 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)
  - fuel system,pump - not installed
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKE OFF, THE EXPERIMENTAL HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED TO HAVE REACHED 150 FT AGL WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER. THE ENGINE REGAINED FULL POWER MOMENTARILY; HOWEVER, WHEN THE AIRPLANE BEGAN A LEFT TURN, THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND QUIT. THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED THE LEFT TURN WHICH INCREASED TO A SPIN. THE AIRPLANE THEN COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN IN A NOSE DOWN LEFT WING LOW ALTITUDE. DURING THE ENGINE EXAMINATION THERE WERE NO NOTED MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS. AIRPLANE DOCUMENTATION SUGGESTS THAT BOTH AN ENGINE DRIVEN FUEL PUMP AND AN ELECTRICAL AUXILIARY FUEL PUMP BE INSTALLED. THE PILOT HAD INSTALLED ONLY AN ELECTRIC FUEL BOOST PUMP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N70JV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N70JV-2013-04-22), registration cancelled 2013-04-22, S/N 71049, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: VADEN SA102 CAVALIER (SA102 CAVA)
- Registry model: [Vaden James L JV SA 102 CAVALIER](https://openairdocs.org/model/vaden-james-l-jv-sa-102-cavalier) (registry code 05616ML) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 71049
- Airframe hours: 29
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Vaden, James L.
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 6, 1989, 29 hours before
- Airport: NONE, Cricket Field, runway 36, 2,640 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 760 total, 29 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 99 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19900811033119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900811033119A), Aug 11, 1990: Amtrks CAVALIER102, Tumwater, WA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Engine quit on climbout. Stalled. Spun in. Neglected install engine driven fuel pump per plans. Aux pump off.

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.

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