# NTSB WPR20LA225: Vans RV 8, N508CM, Grimes, CA, July 17, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 17, 2020, 13:45 local (20:45 UTC) - Place: Grimes, CA - Coordinates: 39.039497, -121.9009 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0395&lon=-121.9009&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: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 101632 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR20LA225 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101632/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA225 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because the airplane was not examined. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Mills Curtis A RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=05610BO), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Mills Curtis A RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05610BO), [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. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Mills Curtis A RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=05610BO), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Mills Curtis A RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05610BO), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Unknown: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Mills Curtis A RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=05610BO), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he landed the airplane at a friend’s private airstrip and taxied back to take off again. During the takeoff roll, the engine lost power and he aborted the takeoff. Later that day, the engine was examined by a mechanic, who was unable to find any anomalies. After the mechanic cleared the airplane for flight, the pilot taxied to the runway, performed two run-up checks, then proceeded to take off. About 50 to 70 ft above ground level, the engine again lost partial power. The pilot performed a forced landing in a corn field, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The airplane wreckage was sold before an examination could be scheduled; therefore, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On July 17, 2020, about 1345 Pacific daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built RV-8 airplane, N508CM, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Grimes, California. The private pilot and pilot-rated passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot stated that he landed the airplane at a friend’s private airstrip and taxied back to take off again. During the takeoff roll, the engine lost power and he aborted the takeoff. Later that day, the engine was examined by a mechanic, who was unable to find any anomalies. After the mechanic cleared the airplane for flight, the pilot taxied to the runway, performed two run-up checks, and then proceeded to take off. About 50 to 70 ft above ground level, the engine again lost partial power. The pilot performed a forced landing in a corn field, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The airplane wreckage was sold before an examination could be scheduled; therefore, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N508CM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N508CM-2022-11-21), registration cancelled 2022-11-21, S/N 80698, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Vans RV 8 (Undesignat) - Registry model: [Mills Curtis A RV-8](https://openairdocs.org/model/mills-curtis-a-rv-8) (registry code 05610BO) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 80698 - Year built: 2000 - Airframe hours: 754.2 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, December 7, 2019 - Destination: O08, Colusa, CA - Airport: N/A, Cecil Airstrip, runway UNK, 1,800 × 50 ft, gravel - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 1, 2019; seat: front; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 3,927 total, 445 in this make and model, 3,624 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Co-pilot; age 33; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 30, 2020; seat: rear; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 1,004 total, 0 in this make and model, 873 as pilot in command, 89 in the last 90 days, 43 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: KMYV, 16 nm away - METAR: METAR KMYV 172053Z AUTO VRB06KT 10SM CLR 31/15 A2989 RMK AO2 SLP125 T03060150 58012 ## 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 20200717009169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200717009169A), Jul 17, 2020: Mills Curtis A RV-8, Grimes, CA, Substantial damage. July 17,2020 landed at a private Airstrip in Grimes, CA. After landing, taxied back for take-off. Aborted take-off due to engine stumble, loss of power.… 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.