Pilot Debrief

Davison RV-7A near Marsing, ID — 2011-04-23

Final reportWPR11LA207
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Date
2011-04-23
Location
Marsing, ID, USA
Airport
ID40
Aircraft
Davison RV-7A
Registration
N59TD
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

A loss of engine power during initial climb for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the run-up and takeoff were normal but that, during climbout, the engine sputtered and began to lose power. He kept the airplane straight and level and continued straight ahead. The pilot switched fuel tanks, turned on the fuel pump, and positioned the engine controls full forward; however, the engine continued to lose power. He then retarded the mixture and made a controlled descent between two ponds. The airplane stalled and landed hard on flat terrain, which resulted in structural damage to the left wing. The pilot stated that he had refueled the airplane several weeks before the accident but that he had not flown the airplane since that time. The pilot stated that, when he departed on the accident flight, the fuel tanks were full. Law enforcement personnel reported that, upon arrival at the accident site, fuel was leaking from the airplane. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot did not initiate a turn back to the runway after engine power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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