# NTSB WPR24LA063: Bender Thomas G RV-6, N111XF, Moriarty, NM, January 2, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: January 2, 2024, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Moriarty, NM - Coordinates: 34.973046, -105.99386 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9730&lon=-105.9939&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 193599 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR24LA063 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193599/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA063 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Bender Thomas G RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000/cases.md?model=05604HR), [All aircraft, 151 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible; cases with it: [Bender Thomas G RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=05604HR), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Bender Thomas G RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=05604HR), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the airplane was operating normally throughout the preflight and initial takeoff. Shortly after becoming airborne, and while still over the runway, the engine began to “stutter” and lose power. The pilot turned on the electric fuel pump, but the engine did not respond. During the forced landing that followed, the airplane exited the runway and the landing gear collapsed, substantially damaging the fuselage. The pilot stated that 6 to 12 months before the accident he had experienced a similar instance of an engine failure during takeoff, but he was able to land during that instance. He attributed that loss of power to a failed fuel pump. He stated that he replaced the failed fuel pump with a used fuel pump that was on an engine that he rebuilt 70 yrs ago. Attempts to contact the pilot to access the airplane and engine for an examination were unsuccessful. Although the fuel pump was reportedly 70 yrs old, investigators could not determine if it failed. Therefore, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On January 2, 2024, at 1030 mountain standard time, an experimental amateur-built Vans RV-6, N111XF, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Moriarty, New Mexico. 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 the airplane operated normally through preflight and initial takeoff. Shortly after becoming airborne, and while still over the runway, the engine began to “stutter” and lose power. The pilot turned on the electric fuel pump, but the engine did not respond. During the forced landing that followed, the airplane exited the runway and the landing gear collapsed, substantially damaging the fuselage. The pilot reported that 6 to 12 months before the accident, he had experienced a similar instance of an engine failure during takeoff, but he was able to land during that instance. He determined that the fuel pump had failed and he replaced the failed fuel pump at that time with one that he reported had been originally installed on a Lycoming engine when he rebuilt it in 1954. Attempts to contact the pilot to access the airplane and engine for an examination were unsuccessful. The airframe and engine logbooks were not located during the investigation. According to FAA inspectors, the pilot had not completed a biannual flight review “in decades” and his last recorded application for a medical certificate was denied in 2009. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N111XF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N111XF), registered now, S/N 24474, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BENDER THOMAS G RV-6 - Registry model: [Bender Thomas G RV-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/bender-thomas-g-rv-6) (registry code 05604HR) (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: 24474 - Year built: 1997 - Airframe hours: 943 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 A-28 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, December 1, 2022 - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: 0E0, Moriarty Muni, runway 17/35, 6,201 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 81; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,943 total, 943 in this make and model, 943 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 17 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 14 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: KCQC, 16 nm away - METAR: KCQC 021753Z AUTO 07017KT 10SM CLR 05/M10 A3017 RMK AO2 SLP211 T00501100 10050 21022 50006 ## 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 20240102000229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240102000229A), Jan 2, 2024: Bender Thomas G RV-6, Moriarty, NM, Substantial damage. On January 2, 2024, at approximately 1030 MST, an experimental RV-6, single engine airplane, had a hard landing accident at 0E0 (Moriarty airport), Moriarty,… 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.