Pilot Debrief

VANS RV6 near Porterville, CA — 2021-06-07

Final reportWPR21FA223
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Date
2021-06-07
Location
Porterville, CA, USA
Airport
PTV
Aircraft
VANS RV6
Registration
N94PJ
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

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

NTSB narrative

The pilot departed from his home airport earlier in the day and landed at the accident airport to refuel. The pilot refueled the airplane with about 17.5 gallons and then started the engine. A witness reported the engine start sounded as though it was a “hot start” with the airplane rpm’s immediately accelerating to a near-maximum setting. The airplane then proceeded to take off and, as it climbed, the engine was making “popping” sounds. Surveillance video showed the airplane made a hard right bank, with the wings near perpendicular to the ground, consistent with the pilot attempting to return to the airport. A performance study of the video revealed that when the airplane reached its maximum altitude of about 240 ft, its ground speed had decreased well below the stall speed. The airplane then assumed a wings-level attitude consistent with the pilot correcting for the steep attitude. Thereafter, the airplane rapidly descended in a left-wing-low attitude nearly perpendicular to the terrain before impacting the ground and immediately erupted into flames. Postaccident examination revealed that the keys were out of the ignition and the fuel selector was in the “OFF” position. Given the available evidence it is unknown if the pilot had intentionally chosen to configure the airplane with the selector off. The engine examination revealed no obvious reason for the loss of engine power as described by the witness. The fuel system was partially destroyed by fire; as a result, the continuity and functionality of the fuel system could not be ascertained.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff after abnormal engine start.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Video
  • 7 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents7

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