Pilot Debrief

Vans RV6 near Melbourne, FL — 2020-09-11

Final reportERA20LA316
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Date
2020-09-11
Location
Melbourne, FL, USA
Aircraft
Vans RV6
Registration
N196DJ
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.

NTSB narrative

The pilot/owner had recently purchased the experimental amateur-built airplane following a nearly decade long period of disuse. After spending several weeks inspecting the airplane and addressing minor maintenance issues, he flew the airplane for about 6 hours and noted no issues with the engine. Several days before the accident he changed the engine oil and removed about 1/2 teaspoon of carbon deposits and “sludge” from the oil screen. On the day of the accident, the pilot flew the airplane offshore and was performing maneuvers when the engine suddenly lost all power and the propeller stopped rotating. The pilot then performed a forced landing to a beach during which the and the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that there was substantial oil streaking along the underside of the fuselage and that the propeller was not free to rotate without the application of additional leverage. Additionally, while the quantity of engine oil that remained was insufficient to sustain engine operation, the oil drained from the engine was absent of ferrous metal or other contaminates. Disassembly of the engine revealed that the oil pressure relief valve spring was corroded, pitted, and broken. Additionally, while internal engine components displayed signatures consistent with inadequate lubrication, no failures or damage that would have resulted in sudden engine stoppage were observed.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have opted for a thorough engine inspection before flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents5

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