# NTSB SEA95LA201: Bristol RV-6, N694CA, Grants Pass, OR, September 1, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 1, 1995, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Grants Pass, OR
- Coordinates: 42.529083, -123.339782 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5291&lon=-123.3398&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 29, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42237
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA201
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42237/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA201

## Probable cause

a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

## Analysis

During the initial climb after takeoff, the aircraft experienced a complete loss of engine power, and the pilot made an emergency landing in a nearby field. The pilot completed a successful touchdown, but the aircraft flipped over in high vegetation during the landing roll. No reason for the power loss could be found. The engine was subsequently reinstalled on an aircraft, and according to the owner, the engine is currently in operation and has functioned without problem.

## Factual narrative

On September 1, 1995, approximately 1430 Pacific daylight time (PDT), an experimental Bristol RV-6, N694CA, nosed-over during an emergency landing near Josephine County Airport, Grants Pass, Oregon. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The local personal pleasure flight, which had just departed Josephine County Airport, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation.

According to the FAA inspector who responded to the accident, the aircraft lost power shortly after takeoff, and the pilot attempted an emergency landing in a nearby field. During the landing sequence, the aircraft nosed-over in high vegetation. After the accident, the owner inspected the engine, and reported that he did not find any anomalies or reason for the loss of power. The engine has subsequently been reinstalled on an aircraft, and according to the owner, has operated without problem.

As of the date of this report, the NTSB 6120.1/2 has not been received by this office.

## 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, emergency landing after takeoff
- Nose over, emergency landing after takeoff
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N694CA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N694CA-2015-01-21), registration cancelled 2015-01-21, S/N 20141, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BRISTOL RV-6
- Registry model: [Bristol Thomas R RV-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/bristol-thomas-r-rv-6) (registry code 05608LQ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-A1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-a1a) (registry code 41818, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 20141
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Chief Aircraft, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 3S8, OR
- Airport: 3S8, Josephine County Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °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 19950901047389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950901047389A), Sep 1, 1995: Amtr RV6, Grants Pass, OR, Substantial damage. Lost power near airport. Landed in high vegetation. Nosed over. No engine defects found. Suspect carburetor icing.

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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