Pilot Debrief

VANS RV6 near Riverside, CA — 2021-07-15

Final reportWPR21LA271
Sign in to save
Date
2021-07-15
Location
Riverside, CA, USA
Airport
RAL
Aircraft
VANS RV6
Registration
N468AC
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

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

NTSB narrative

The pilot of the experimental, amateur built airplane was undergoing an airplane checkout and flight review. The flight instructor directed the pilot to perform a power-on stall. During the maneuver, the airplane’s engine lost total power. The pilot immediately switched fuel tanks and was able to restart the engine and elected to return to the airport. The flight instructor assumed control of the airplane for the return flight. While the airplane was on short final, the engine lost total power again. The airplane subsequently impacted terrain short of the runway and came to rest inverted. Postaccident examination of the airplane found a blue liquid, consistent with 100 low lead fuel, draining from the lower cowling. Several gallons of fuel were drained from the fuel tanks. During the engine examination, the engine was started and ran uneventfully for several minutes at various power settings, including full power. Further examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any pre existing mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation of the engine.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have ensured adequate fuel before attempting the flight review.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents5

Related mishaps