Pilot Debrief

JIMENEZ VANS RV 7A near Dayton, NV — 2015-03-08

Final reportWPR15LA127
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Date
2015-03-08
Location
Dayton, NV, USA
Airport
A34
Aircraft
JIMENEZ VANS RV 7A
Registration
N51MJ
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

A loss of engine power during descent for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he departed the airport and flew at cruise altitude at 11,500 ft. About 10 miles from his destination airport, he started the descent to the traffic pattern altitude of about 6,000 ft. About 3 miles from the airport, he realized that the engine had quit without any indications or warning. The propeller was still windmilling, and he checked the engine gauges and noted that the oil pressure and temperature indications were good. He switched fuel tanks and tried to restart the engine without success. The airplane landed in a field short of the runway and then came to rest inverted. The pilot reported that he usually keeps the mixture control lever about half to three-quarters of the way out almost the entire time he flies. He added that the only time he ever needs to change the fuel mixture is while flying above 14,500 ft. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have adjusted the mixture control to full rich before descent.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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