Pilot Debrief

LOFLIN RV-7A near Novato, CA — 2012-07-14

Final reportWPR12LA321
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Date
2012-07-14
Location
Novato, CA, USA
Airport
DVO
Aircraft
LOFLIN RV-7A
Registration
N404JT
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to control a forward slip to reduce the altitude and airspeed to attain a proper touchdown point during landing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during the takeoff climb, he reduced the engine power setting and that, shortly after, the engine did not respond, and he noted that the engine manifold pressure was 5 inches. The pilot attempted to troubleshoot the problem by adjusting the throttle and mixture controls without success. He chose to return to the airport for a precautionary landing; however, he was unsure if the airplane could reach the active runway, so he then chose to land on the closest runway with a 6- to 9-knot tailwind. Due to excessive altitude and airspeed for landing on that runway, the pilot did not use flaps and attempted a forward slip. The airspeed continued to increase during the descent, and the airplane landed midway down the runway. The airplane subsequently overran the runway end, traversed a ditch, and came to rest inverted. If the pilot had been able to control the slip to reduce the altitude and airspeed, he might have been able to land the airplane at a point on the runway with adequate distance to stop it. Postaccident engine examination revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen to land on runway 31 instead of 13.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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