# NTSB WPR21LA094: Randy Wayne Maloney M1, N322TR, Eagle Point, OR, January 21, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: January 21, 2021, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Eagle Point, OR - Coordinates: 42.25219, -122.453 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2522&lon=-122.4530&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 102553 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA094 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102553/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102553 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA094 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Power plant](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Maloney Randy Wayne M1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md?model=05607GF), [All aircraft, 198 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Maloney Randy Wayne M1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=05607GF), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Maloney Randy Wayne M1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05607GF), [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. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Maloney Randy Wayne M1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=05607GF), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Enroute-change of cruise level: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Maloney Randy Wayne M1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05607GF), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, in cruise flight at 3,000 ft mean sea level, the engine began to sputter, and the airplane began to descend. The pilot maneuvered toward open fields, and about 50 ft above ground level, the engine rpm increased slightly. The airplane subsequently impacted a cable and terrain. The airplane was destroyed by a postcrash fire. An engine examination revealed no evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the partial loss of engine power was not determined. ## Factual narrative On January 25, 2021, about 1200 Pacific standard time, an experimental, amateur-built M1 airplane, N322TR, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Eagle Point, OR. The pilot and passenger received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that, during cruise flight at 3,000 ft mean sea level (msl), the engine began to sputter, and the airplane began to descend. In anticipation of a forced landing, he flew toward farm fields. About 50 ft above ground level, the engine rpm began to increase slightly, but the pilot did not attempt to climb. The airplane subsequently impacted a cable and terrain. The airplane was destroyed by the postaccident fire. Examination of the engine revealed impact damage and heat distress. The propeller remained attached to the propeller crankshaft flange. All engine accessories remained attached to the engine via their respective mounts. The intake and exhaust rocker arms were intact and undamaged. Mechanical continuity was established throughout the engine and valve train when the propeller was rotated by hand. Thumb compression was obtained on all six cylinders in proper firing order when the propeller was rotated by hand. Equal movement of the intake and exhaust valve rocker arms was noted on all six cylinders. All four cylinders were examined internally using a lighted borescope. The pistons were unremarkable. A normal amount of carbon deposits was observed on the tops of all six pistons. There was no evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N322TR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N322TR), registered now, S/N M1, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Randy Wayne Maloney M1 - Registry model: [Maloney Randy Wayne M1](https://openairdocs.org/model/maloney-randy-wayne-m1) (registry code 05607GF) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: M1 - Year built: 1998 - Engines: Lycoming O-435-25A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, September 3, 2020 - Departed: OG31, Shady Cove, OR - Destination: S03, Ashland, OR - Airport: 26OG, Eagle apoint, runway unk, 1,275 × 35 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 90 total, 30 in this make and model, 50 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KMFR, 7 nm away - METAR: SA 01/01/2021 19:53-> METAR KMFR 011953Z 34005KT 10SM CLR 07/04 A3000 RMK AO2 SLP163 T00720039= ## 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 20210121000609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210121000609A), Jan 21, 2021: Maloney Randy Wayne M1, Eagle Point, OR, Destroyed. On thrusday, January 21, 2021, an experimental amateur built M1, registered as N322TR, serial number M1, was involved in an accident in vicinity of Eagle… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 26, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102553. 195 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11904823&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120_1__Redacted-Rel.pdf - Engine exam (item 2, PDF, 11 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13851409&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Notes%20Exam%20Eagle%20Point%20Or%20EN%20Review%20accepted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 3, PDF, 6 pages, 6 photos, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12554332&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR21LA094%20Photos-Rel.pdf - Video (item 4, MP4, 190 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11905203&FileExtension=mp4&FileName=Video%20WPR21LA094-Rel.mp4 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.