Pilot Debrief

VANS RV6 near Fordyce, AR — 2023-12-05

Final reportCEN24LA056
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Date
2023-12-05
Location
Fordyce, AR, USA
Airport
5M4
Aircraft
VANS RV6
Registration
N600VS
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to attain a proper touchdown point following an unidentified electrical system failure and subsequent partial loss of engine power, which resulted in a runway overrun and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to operate the airplane in an unairworthy condition.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to operate the airplane in an unairworthy condition.

NTSB narrative

The two pilots who had just purchased the experimental airplane planned to fly it without a recent condition inspection and without a ferry permit to their home airport. During the flight, the airplane sustained a partial loss of engine power. They diverted the flight to an alternate airport, where they attempted to land the airplane. They were unable to extend the wing flaps during the approach for landing and performed a forward slip to decrease altitude. The airplane touched down about halfway down the runway and then overran the runway departure end, where it nosed over in a grass area. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the airplane’s two 12V automotive batteries would not start the engine. However, the engine would start and operate when connected to an operational external battery and the fuel pump turned on. The engine would not start or operate at rated power without the fuel pump operating. An engine-driven fuel pump was not installed on this engine. It is likely that the alternator was not charging the batteries during the accident flight, and the engine ignition and pump were being operated on battery voltage, which was eventually depleted below the engine’s operating tolerances. Also, the failure of the flaps to extend was likely related to the low battery voltage. A recent and proper condition inspection would have likely found and corrected any electrical system faults.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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