Pilot Debrief

POHOSKI RV 4 near New Waverly, TX — 2013-10-19

Final reportCEN14LA021
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Date
2013-10-19
Location
New Waverly, TX, USA
Airport
XS09
Aircraft
POHOSKI RV 4
Registration
N10XP
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

An in-flight fire for reasons that could not be determined because the wreckage was consumed by fire.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he smelled "electrical" smoke during a cross-country flight in his experimental amateur-built airplane. The pilot decided to land immediately and moved the throttle to idle. He diverted the airplane, but, when he realized that the airplane was not going to be able to reach the diversion airpark, he executed a precautionary landing to a pasture. The airplane was intact when it came to rest. After the pilot exited the airplane, he saw smoke and flames coming from the tunnel located at the firewall between the rudder pedals that housed the forward stick assembly, fuel filter, fuel selector valve, electric fuel boost pump, and a conduit for wires from the back of the airplane. The stainless steel firewall remained intact; however, the wires and controls that ran through the fittings were burned. The pilot reported that no fuel was seeping, that he saw no blue stains, and that he did not smell fuel in the cockpit. The cause of the in-flight fire could not be determined due to the extent of the fire damage.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked for smoke before landing to troubleshoot the issue.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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