Pilot Debrief

ABBEY VICTOR RV9-A near Leander, TX — 2011-06-30

Final reportCEN11LA449
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Date
2011-06-30
Location
Leander, TX, USA
Airport
77T
Aircraft
ABBEY VICTOR RV9-A
Registration
N59VA
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB narrative

The pilot departed in an experimental amateur-built airplane for a series of local test flights after a recent engine installation. During the first flight, the engine overheated and the pilot returned for a landing. The second flight was uneventful; however, during the third flight, the pilot noticed that the engine did not sound right, so he returned to the airport. The pilot and a mechanic inspected the engine and did not find any anomalies. When the pilot departed on the fourth flight, the engine lost partial power shortly after takeoff. The pilot turned back to the airport and, during the forced landing, the nose gear impacted a depression in the turf runway and the airplane nosed over. Examination of the airplane’s engine did not reveal a reason for the loss of engine power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot should have grounded the aircraft after previous engine issues.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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