# NTSB WPR15LA130: Vans RV6A, N811KM, Green Valley, AZ, March 21, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 21, 2015, 09:20 local (16:20 UTC) - Place: Green Valley, AZ - Coordinates: 31.911111, -111.117774 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9111&lon=-111.1178&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report August 25, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 90903 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR15LA130 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90903/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90903 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA130 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power during initial climb due to the disconnection of both fuel pump power wires. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system: fuel pumps](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022822): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Inoperative (probable cause); cases with it: [Miller Kenneth J VANS ACFT RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022822/cases.md?model=056038T), [All aircraft, 71 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022822/cases.md) - [Electrical power system: electrical pwr sys wiring](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022497): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Miller Kenneth J VANS ACFT RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022497/cases.md?model=056038T), [All aircraft, 44 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022497/cases.md) ## 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 (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Miller Kenneth J VANS ACFT RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=056038T), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Miller Kenneth J VANS ACFT RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056038T), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Miller Kenneth J VANS ACFT RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=056038T), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Miller Kenneth J VANS ACFT RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=056038T), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, after the airplane took off and reached an altitude of about 300 ft above ground level, the engine lost power. He then initiated a right turn toward the airport. Subsequently, the airplane impacted terrain and trees adjacent to the runway and nosed over. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right fuel pump power wire was disconnected at its terminal and that the left fuel pump power wire was partially disconnected from its terminal, which would result in no positive fuel pressure being supplied to the engine; the engine was not equipped with an engine-driven fuel pump. The examination also revealed that the crimp on the terminal connector for the right fuel pump power wire was likely incorrect, which allowed the wire to disconnect from its terminal; however, it could not be determined how the left fuel pump power wire became partially disconnected from its terminal. No additional anomalies were found during the examination of the airframe and engine that would have precluded normal operation. Based on the evidence, it is likely that the disconnection of both fuel pump power wires led to a loss of fuel pressure to the engine and the subsequent loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On March 21, 2015, about 0920 mountain standard time, an experimental amateur built Vans RV-6A, N811KM, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during takeoff from the Ruby Star Airpark (14AZ), Green Valley, Arizona. The airplane was registered to Sunset Enterprises LLC and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot and his pilot rated passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The cross-country flight was originating at the time of the accident with an intended destination of Tucson, Arizona.In a written statement, the pilot reported that after takeoff from runway 6, at an altitude of about 300 feet above ground level, the engine lost power and he initiated a right turn toward the airport. Subsequently the airplane impacted terrain and trees about 100 feet from the runway and nosed over. Examination of the airplane by local law enforcement revealed that both wings and fuselage were structurally damaged. The wreckage was recovered to a secure location for further examination. Examination of the recovered airframe and engine revealed that the engine remained attached to the firewall via all its mounts. The carburetor was intact and disassembled. All internal components of the carburetor were intact. All six spark plugs were removed and the propeller was rotated by hand. Thumb compression was obtained on all cylinders. Throttle, mixture, and carburetor heat control continuity was established from the cockpit controls to the engine. All of the engine belts were intact and undamaged. The engine was not equipped with an engine driven fuel pump. Battery power was applied to the airframe and the left and right fuel pump would not function. The positive power wire for the right fuel pump was disconnected from a quick disconnect terminal connector, which was enclosed within a plastic tube with electrical tape on one end. The positive power wire for the left fuel pump was connected to an insulated quick-disconnect terminal. The terminal halves were partially disconnected, enough where the inner metal terminals were disconnected. No additional anomalies were found during the examination of the airframe and engine that would have precluded normal operation. The airframe and engine logbook records were not located. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N811KM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N811KM-2016-03-14), registration cancelled 2016-03-14, S/N 60008, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: VANS RV6A - Registry model: [Miller Kenneth J VANS ACFT RV-6A](https://openairdocs.org/model/miller-kenneth-j-vans-acft-rv-6a) (registry code 056038T) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 60008 - Year built: 1998 - Airframe hours: 970 - Engines: GMC V6 190 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: James Galvin - Registered owner: Sunset Enterprises LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, October 20, 2014 - Departed: 14AZ, Green Valley, AZ - Destination: Tucson, AZ - Airport: 14AZ, Ruby Star Airpark, runway 06, 4,300 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 10, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 601 total, 23 in this make and model, 441 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: KTUS, 16 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 20150321005129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150321005129A), Mar 21, 2015: Miller Kenneth J VANS ACFT RV-6A, Green Valley, AZ, Substantial damage. After take-off from runway 7, aircraft N811KM reached an altitude of 400 feet above ground level at which time the engine lost power. The pilot initiated a… ## Other investigations on N811KM (1) 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. - [NTSB SEA00IA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00IA007), Oct 23, 1999: Kenneth Miller RV-6A (N811KM), Wenatchee, WA, incident, minor damage. Probable cause: The failure of the pilots in both aircraft to maintain an adequate visual lookout. Haze was a factor. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 12, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90903. 1.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40427823&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Airframe and Engine Examination Summary Report (item 2, .PDF, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40427824&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airframe%20and%20Engine%20Examination%20Summary%20Report-Master.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.