# NTSB WPR20LA014: Vans RV 6, N615RJ, Spanaway, WA, October 23, 2019

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report
- Date: October 23, 2019, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Spanaway, WA
- Coordinates: 47.070278, -122.371109 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0703&lon=-122.3711&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Unknown: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 100483
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR20LA014
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100483/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100483
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA014

## Probable cause

A total loss of engine power during the initial climb for reasons that could not be determined.

## 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); cases with it: [Thompson J R/Thompson M R RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=056106T), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md)
- [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Thompson J R/Thompson M R RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=056106T), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/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); cases with it: [Thompson J R/Thompson M R RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=056106T), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Thompson J R/Thompson M R RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056106T), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Unknown: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Thompson J R/Thompson M R RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=056106T), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that the initial taxi and engine run-up were normal; however, during the takeoff roll, the engine sputtered and the pilot aborted the takeoff. A subsequent engine run-up revealed no anomalies, and the pilot elected to take off again. As the airplane climbed through about 200 ft above ground level, the engine began to sputter and, shortly after, lost all power. The pilot performed a forced landing to an open field near the airport, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot reported 18 gallons of fuel onboard before departure. Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The amount of fuel onboard at the time of the accident was not determined, but the fuel remaining in the wing tanks after the accident did not display evidence of contamination. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available information.

## Factual narrative

On October 23, 2019, about 1200 Pacific daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built RV-6 airplane, N615RJ, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Spanaway, Washington. The pilot sustained minor injury and the passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane was and operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that the initial taxi and engine run-up were normal; however, during the takeoff roll, the engine sputtered and the pilot aborted the takeoff. A subsequent engine run-up revealed no anomalies, and the pilot elected to take off again. As the airplane climbed through about 200 ft above ground level, the engine began to sputter and, shortly after, lost all power. The pilot performed a forced landing to an open field near the airport, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot reported 18 gallons of fuel onboard before departure. The engine was examined following recovery from the accident site. The engine controls were continuous from the cockpit to the engine. The crankshaft was rotated by hand at the propeller and continuity was established through the valve train. Thumb compression was obtained on each cylinder. Both left and right magnetos produced spark at their terminal leads. The top spark plugs were removed and displayed normal operating signatures. Functional testing of the engine-driven fuel pump and throttle body injector revealed no anomalies. An unquantified amount of fuel remained in each of the wing fuel tanks and displayed no evidence of contamination. The amount of fuel onboard at the time of the accident was not determined.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N615RJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N615RJ), registered now, S/N 21603, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Vans RV 6 (Undesignat)
- Registry model: [Thompson J R/Thompson M R RV-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/thompson-j-r-thompson-m-r-rv-6) (registry code 056106T) (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: 21603
- Year built: 2006
- Airframe hours: 907.6
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-EXP 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 14, 2019
- Departed: 3B8, Spanaway, WA
- Destination: 3B8, Spanaway, WA
- Airport: 3B8, Shady Acres, runway 34, 1,800 × 20 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: Handheld GPS, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 75; injuries: minor; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 30, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 16,429 total, 908 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 9 °F
- Altimeter: 30.51 inHg
- Observed at: KPLU, 4 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 20191023015759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191023015759A), Oct 23, 2019: Thompson J R/Thompson M R RV-6, Spanaway, WA, Substantial damage. Taxi, run up and initial take off roll was normal and pilot aborted 1/2 down runway because engine sputtered. Subsequent run up and take off roll was normal…

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 20, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100483. 11.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 12 pages, 10.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13188677&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20Submitted_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Engine exam (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 225 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13188415&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Engine%20Examination-Rel.pdf
- Ellison throttle body exam (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 119 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13255098&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memo%20for%20record%20%20Ellison%20throttle%20tested-Rel.pdf
- Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 577 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13253619&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Release%20of%20Wreckage%20WPR20LA014_Redacted-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.

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