# NTSB SEA93LA192: Westholm Vans RV-6, N16JL, Salmon, ID, September 5, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 5, 1993, 09:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Salmon, ID
- Coordinates: 44.999317, -113.859489 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9993&lon=-113.8595&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 August 1, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41761
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93LA192
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41761/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA192

## Probable cause

THE INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION BY THE PIC IN HIS FAILURE TO CLOSE THE FUEL DRAIN VALVE.  A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FENCE POST LOCATED IN THE LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,drain - open (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence post (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOOK OFF, CLIMBED TO ABOUT 50 FEET AGL, AND THE ENGINE QUIT.  HE INITIATED A FORCED LANDING AND THE ACFT STRUCK A FENCE POST DURING GROUND ROLL.  A POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED THE GASCOLATOR FUEL DRAIN WAS LOCKED IN THE OPEN POSITION.

## Factual narrative

On Sunday morning, September 5, 1993, at 0930 mountain daylight time, a Westholm Vans RV-6, N16JL, owned by the pilot, impacted terrain during an emergency forced landing at the Flying B Ranch Airstrip, Salmon, Idaho.  There was no flight plan filed for the personal flight, conducted under 14 CFR 91 in visual meteorological conditions, that had just taken off for McCall, Idaho.  The private certificated pilot and the one passenger aboard were not injured.  The aircraft was substantially damaged. There was no fire.      The pilot reported the aircraft lost engine power about 50 feet above the ground during initial climb after takeoff.  He said he initiated an emergency forced landing to the only open area available and the aircraft left wing struck a fence post during landing roll.       An examination of the aircraft after the accident revealed the gascolator drain valve was locked in the open position.  The pilot indicated he was unaware the drain valve could lock in the open position.  The loss of engine power was duplicated on another RV-6 aircraft with the drain valve open (See work order 1374).

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N16JL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16JL-1997-02-19), registration cancelled 1997-02-19, S/N 20958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WESTHOLM VANS RV-6
- Registry model: [Westholm Avia RV-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/westholm-avia-rv-6) (registry code 05608TB) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 20958
- Airframe hours: 139
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Remsen, T Schenck
- Registered owner: Remsen, T Schenck
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 11, 1993, 9 hours before
- Destination: MYL, MCCALL, ID
- Airport: NONE, Flying B Ranch Airstrip, runway 36, 2,000 × 70 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,500 total, 9 in this make and model, 7,300 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SMN, 38 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 19930905032909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930905032909A), Sep 5, 1993: Amtr RV6, Salmon, ID, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Struck fence landing. Gascolator drain was open. Pilot unaware drain could remain open.

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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