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NTSB Report

July 12, 2001 · Young RV-6 · N6GY

Spring, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 12, 2001
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Spring, TX
Aircraft
Young RV-6
Tail Number
N6GY
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW01LA164

This was the first flight of the homebuilt airplane following its certification on the day prior to the accident. While returning from the airplane's maiden flight, about 10 nautical miles from the airport, approximately 1,200 feet msl, the pilot turned the electric fuel pump on for landing, and the engine began to run "rough." He turned the fuel pump off and the engine "smoothed out." With the fuel pump on, the pilot could lean the mixture and get the engine to "smooth out." After trying several combinations of fuel pump and mixture settings, the pilot thought the engine was running smooth and planned for a tight pattern, high speed approach, with the mixture full rich and the fuel pump off. While on base leg, at approximately 600 feet agl, the aircraft appeared to be settling faster than anticipated. The pilot attempted to add power, but the engine was "dead and just wind milling." He went through a "quick restart" and at approximately 400 feet, initiated a forced landing to a nearby trailer park and declared an emergency. The airplane touched down between two rows of trailers, and during the landing roll the right wing impacted a tree. The airplane came to rest upright with the left wing against a house trailer. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons during the landing approach. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Full Narrative

On July 12, 2001, at 1510 central daylight time, a Young RV-6 homebuilt experimental airplane, N6GY, was substantially damaged when it impacted a tree and house trailer during a forced landing following a loss of engine power while on approach to the David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport near Spring, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot/builder. The private pilot, sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 test flight. The local flight originated from the David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport at 1429. This was the first flight of the homebuilt airplane following its certification on July 11, 2001. The pilot reported that while returning from the airplane's maiden flight, about 10 nautical miles from the airport, approximately 1,200 feet msl, he turned the electric fuel pump on for landing, and the engine began to run "rough." He then turned the fuel pump off and the engine "smoothed out." He further reported that with the fuel pump on, he could lean the mixture and get the engine to "smooth out." After trying several combinations of fuel pump and mixture settings, the pilot thought the engine was running smooth and planned for a tight pattern, high speed approach, with the mixture full rich and the fuel pump off. While on base for runway 17R, at approximately 600 feet agl, the aircraft appeared to be settling faster than anticipated. The pilot attempted to add power, but the engine was "dead and just wind milling." He went through a "quick restart," and at approximately 400 feet, initiated a forced landing to a nearby trailer park and declared an emergency. The airplane touched down between two rows of house trailers, and during the landing roll, the right wing impacted a tree. The airplane came to rest upright with the left wing against a house trailer. An examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed that the one piece wing was partially separated from the fuselage, and the left side of the fuselage was torn open. Further examination of the engine and fuel system did not reveal the reason for the loss of engine power.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:10 CDT
Nearest AirportDavid Wayne Hooks (0nm)
Runway17R
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftYoung RV-6
Tail NumberN6GY
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-AIA · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 49 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.95 inHg
Observation Time20:20
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data