# NTSB WPR22LA193: Vans RV-8, N298DM, Galice, OR, May 31, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 31, 2022, 09:40 local (16:40 UTC) - Place: Galice, OR - Coordinates: 42.563495, -123.5747 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5635&lon=-123.5747&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 105169 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR22LA193 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105169/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105169 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA193 ## Probable cause The in-flight failure of the crankshaft gear’s alignment dowel as a result of the retaining bolt not being installed, which lead to a total loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Marks Donald P RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=056070Z), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng rear section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058540): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Marks Donald P RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058540/cases.md?model=056070Z), [All aircraft, 42 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058540/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 (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Marks Donald P RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=056070Z), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was maneuvering the airplane over a river about 3,000 feet above mean sea level (msl) with the engine operating at 2,200 rpm. After a few minutes, the pilot heard a “pop” emanating from the engine compartment followed by a loss of engine power. With no suitable terrain to land in the area, the pilot opted to ditch in the river adjacent to the shoreline. The airplane touched down in a calm current near some exposed rocks. A team of swift-water rescue divers arrived at a boat ramp across the river with the intention of performing a training exercise that morning. The team carried the pilot and passenger to shore without injury. A postaccident examination revealed that the crankshaft gear was missing its retaining bolt and lock-plate. The alignment dowel was sheared off and the crankshaft gear’s mounting flange was damaged. Mounting flange material was found in the sump, but the missing bolt and lock-plate were not found, likely because it was never installed at the last overhaul (98.9 hours before the accident). ## Factual narrative On May 31, 2022, at 0940 Pacific daylight time, a Vans RV-8, N298DM, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Galice, Oregon. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot completed a 20-minute flight and landed in Grants Pass, Oregon, with the intention of picking up his spouse. The airplane started normally and they departed from runway 31 about 0930. The pilot continued to the west until reaching the Rouge River, where he maneuvered over the river about 3,000 feet above mean sea level (msl) with the engine operating at 2,200 rpm. After a few minutes, the pilot heard a “pop” emanating from the engine compartment followed by a loss of engine power. The pilot added full throttle, verified the mixture was full rich, cycled the magnetos, and switched the fuel selector position to the other tank. Despite the pilot’s troubleshooting attempts, the engine did not restart. The pilot looked for a location to perform an emergency landing and noted that the airplane was too high to align with the gravel bars in the immediate vicinity. With no suitable terrain ahead, he opted to ditch in the river adjacent to the shoreline. The airplane touched down in a calm current near some exposed rocks. The airplane settled on rocks and the pilot and passenger sat on the canopy for about 15 minutes. A team of swift-water rescue divers arrived at a boat ramp across the river with the intention of performing a training exercise that morning. The team carried the pilot and passenger to shore without injury. During the accident sequence, the left wing was substantially damaged. The pilot estimated that there was about 30 gallons of fuel onboard the airplane at the time of the accident. The engine was overhauled prior to being installed on the airplane. The airplane and overhauled engine had amassed 98.9 flight hours before the accident. A Federal Aviation Administration certified Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic examined the wreckage. He stated that upon rotation of the propeller, the rocker arms on the intake and exhaust valves did not move. Removal of the accessory gear housing revealed that the crankshaft gear was missing its retaining bolt and lock-plate (see Figure 1 below). After removing the gear, he noted the alignment dowel was sheared off and the crankshaft gear’s mounting flange was damaged. He removed the oil sump and found debris consistent with the mounting flange material but was unable to locate the missing bolt. Figure 1: Accessory Housing Removed (pictures provided by mechanic) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N298DM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N298DM-2022-07-11), registration cancelled 2022-07-11, S/N 80-298 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: VANS RV-8 - Registry model: [Marks Donald P RV-8](https://openairdocs.org/model/marks-donald-p-rv-8) (registry code 056070Z) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 80-298 - Year built: 2002 - Airframe hours: 97 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 160 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, June 1, 2021, 45 hours before - Departed: 3S8, Grants Pass, OR - Airport: 3S8, Grants Pass - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 11, 2022; seat: front; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 3,257 total, 47 in this make and model, 2,916 as pilot in command, 218 in the last 90 days, 56 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: 67 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: KSXT, 9 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 20220531012249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220531012249A), May 31, 2022: Marks Donald P RV-8, Merlin, OR, Substantial damage. Airman states he had flown about 15 minutes earlier in the day in the same aircraft. He went and picked up a passenger and about 5 minutes later into the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 10, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105169. 3.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 7 pages, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16438877&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Engine examination report (item 2, PDF, 10 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16438395&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N298DM%20Engine%20Failure%20Investigation%20Report_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. --- 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.