# NTSB WPR09LA047: Nickel RV-6, N6TR, Fresno, CA, November 25, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 25, 2008, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Fresno, CA - Coordinates: 36.84, -119.869163 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8400&lon=-119.8692&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report August 13, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 69502 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09LA047 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69502/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=69502 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA047 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power during initial climb 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) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the initial climb the engine misfired and only produced "marginal power." As he executed a left turn back towards the airport, the engine lost power and he performed a forced landing onto a golf course. During the landing roll, the airplane struck a berm and became airborne again. Subsequently, the airplane landed hard and came to rest upright. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane fuselage was structurally damaged. Examination of the converted Ford engine by the pilot revealed that the fuel system was intact and undamaged. The pilot also reported finding "no obvious" anomalies with the ignition system. The reason for the loss of engine power was not determined. ## Factual narrative On November 25, 2008, about 1530 Pacific standard time, a Nickel RV-6 amateur-built experimental airplane, N6TR, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power after takeoff from Sierra Sky Park Airport, Fresno, California. The private pilot, the sole occupant, who was the owner and builder of the airplane, was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight was originating when the accident occurred. The pilot reported that prior to takeoff; he performed a high-speed taxi test on the runway with no anomalies noted. The pilot taxied back to the run-up area, performed his preflight checklist uneventfully, and proceeded to takeoff. During the takeoff initial climb, the engine misfired and developed "marginal power." As he executed a left turn towards the airport, the engine lost power. The pilot further stated "to take advantage of relatively good landing opportunities below," he continued the left turn and initiated a forced landing to an open area on a golf course. During the landing roll, the airplane struck a berm and became airborne again. Subsequently, the airplane landed hard and came to rest upright. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane came to rest within a golf course about 1 mile northwest of the runway. The engine was partially separated from the airframe, and the firewall was bent and buckled. Examination of the converted Ford engine by the pilot revealed the fuel system was intact and undamaged. The pilot also reported finding "no obvious" anomalies with the ignition system. The reason for the loss of engine power was not determined. ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6TR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6TR-2012-09-10), registration cancelled 2012-09-10, S/N 20492 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: NICKEL RV-6 - Registry model: [Nickel Ted W RV-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/nickel-ted-w-rv-6) (registry code 05626WW) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Ford CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/ford-conversion) (registry code 26701, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 20492 - Airframe hours: 70 - Engines: FORD CONVERSION 155 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 24, 2008, 4 hours before - Departed: E79, Fresno, CA - Destination: E79, Fresno, CA - Airport: E79, Sierra Sky Park Airport, runway 30, 2,920 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 2, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 1,071 total, 71 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 3 knots - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: KFAT, 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 20081125851989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081125851989A), Nov 25, 2008: Nickel RV6, Fresno, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft departed Sierra Sky Park (E79) airport on runway 30. After a second pass over the field at approximately 800 feet, the engine began to sputter… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 17, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=69502. 1.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314612&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.