# NTSB WPR17LA153: Clark James T Vans RV8, N559JC, Spokane, WA, July 14, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 14, 2017, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Spokane, WA - Coordinates: 47.683055, -117.322502 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.6831&lon=-117.3225&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: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 95578 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR17LA153 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95578/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95578 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA153 ## Probable cause An inflight engine fire for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information, which melted the air filter element and obstructed the engine's air intakes, resulting in a total loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Power plant: air intake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057160): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Clark James T VANS RV8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057160/cases.md?model=05616Y7), [All aircraft, 50 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057160/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Clark James T VANS RV8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05616Y7), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Unknown: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150); cases with it: [Clark James T VANS RV8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md?model=05616Y7), [All aircraft, 504 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Clark James T VANS RV8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05616Y7), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, shortly after takeoff, the engine began to "act erratically" and surged. The pilot initiated a turn back toward the airport, during which the engine lost total power and began producing black smoke. The pilot subsequently performed a forced landing to an open field, during which the airplane sustained substantial damage. Examination revealed that the automotive engine's air filter element had sustained fire damage, and debris consistent with molten air filter material was in the throats of both intake openings. It is likely that the engine lost power due to ingestion of molten foam air filter, which obstructed the air intakes; however, how the filter became fire-damaged was not determined. There were no other mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the engine. ## Factual narrative On July 14, 2017, at 1330 Pacific daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built RV-8, N559JC, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Spokane, Washington. The pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that, after takeoff, the engine began to surge and “acted erratically.” He turned back toward the airport to make an emergency landing. The engine then lost total power and black smoke was visible from the engine compartment. The pilot made a forced landing to an open field, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors examined the Mazda automotive engine. Fire damage was noted throughout the engine, with some debris found in the throats of both intake openings and on the forward face of the alternator, which was located directly behind the air filter assembly. The debris was consistent with molten foam air filter element. The oil, coolant, and fuel hoses appeared intact. The oil and oil filter element were examined with no metal contamination identified. Internal continuity of the engine was accomplished by manual rotation of the engine via the propeller; movement of the alternator belt at the rear of the engine was observed when the propeller was turned. The FAA inspectors reported that molten debris was beneath and behind the intake air filter assembly, but not forward of it. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N559JC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N559JC-2019-01-02), registration cancelled 2019-01-02, S/N 80268, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CLARK JAMES T VANS RV8 (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Clark James T VANS RV8](https://openairdocs.org/model/clark-james-t-vans-rv8) (registry code 05616Y7) (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: 80268 - Year built: 2004 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Jonathan Liard - Registered owner: Jonathan Liard - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 2, 2017 - Departed: SFF, SPOKANE, WA - Destination: SFF, Spokane, WA - Airport: SFF, Felts Field - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: center; flight hours: 3,000 total, 5 in this make and model, 1,500 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: SFF, 2 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 20170714024529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170714024529A), Jul 14, 2017: Clark James T VANS RV8, Spokane, WA, Substantial damage. Aircraft departed Spokane, felts field enroute to deer park. Approximately 2 miles north of felts field at 3000' pilot noticed unusual engine noise.… ## Other investigations on N559JC (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 LAX05CA310](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA310), Sep 20, 2005: Clark Vans RV8 (N559JC), Sonoma, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: a loss of engine power due to the failure of the master electrical power switch, which removed power to the electronic ignition. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 19, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95578. 6.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12127777&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector's statement (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 591 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12127434&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Exam-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 255 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12127444&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Wreckage%20Release%20Form%20WPR17LA153_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 4, PDF, 4 pages, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12128797&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos%20WPR17LA153-Rel.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.