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July 10, 2010 · Ronald V White CH701 · N3784A

Pima, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 10, 2010
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Pima, AZ
Aircraft
Ronald V White CH701
Tail Number
N3784A
Operator
Ronald V White
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR10LA341

The pilot reported that the purpose of the local flight was to practice maneuvers. After departure, the airplane climbed to 2,000 feet above ground level (agl). The pilot stated that the engine was running smoothly, producing full power, and he noted no anomalies. He then descended to 1,000 feet agl under cruise power, and after completing a turn, the engine had an immediate loss of power. It began to vibrate significantly and subsequently lost total power. The airplane collided with a tree during a forced landing on a road. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the spark plug in the right rear cylinder was fractured and separated in the porcelain area of the plug. The spark plug base remained screwed into the cylinder, and it was more than finger tight. The remainder of the plug was in the ignition harness’s rubber boot. There was no indication that the spark plug fractured due to impact damage. The spark plug was then replaced and the engine started with no anomalies noted. The engine had accumulated 4 hours since being installed on the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Tree(s)-Effect on equipment

Full Narrative

On July 9, 2010, about 1740 mountain standard time, a Ronald V White CH701, N3784A, collided with a tree during an off airport forced landing following a loss of engine power near Pima, Arizona. The pilot/owner was operating the experimental airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The private pilot was not injured; one passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wing by impact forces. The pilot departed Pima at 1700 on a local personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that he climbed to 2,000 feet above ground level (agl) after departure. The engine was running smoothly, and making full power. He performed several maneuvers, and experienced no anomalies with the airframe or engine. He descended to 1,000 feet agl under cruise power. Shortly after completing a turn, the engine exhibited an immediate loss of power, and began to vibrate significantly. The airplane could not maintain altitude, so the pilot picked a landing spot, and made a 180-degree turn to final approach for landing on a road. He pulled the throttle back, and the engine abruptly stopped. The airplane touched down at 45 miles per hour; the left wing immediately struck a tree and uneven terrain. The airplane spun sideways, and the right main landing gear collapsed. After exiting the airplane, the pilot noted that fuel was leaking from the vent cap on the right wing, which was bent downward. The leak stopped after he raised the wing to a level attitude. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane at the accident site. He observed that the spark plug in the right rear cylinder was fractured and separated in the porcelain area of the plug. The spark plug base remained screwed into the cylinder, and it was more than finger tight. The remainder of the plug remained in the ignition harness’s rubber boot. There was no indication that the spark plug fractured during impact; the plug was partly protected by the exhaust stack, which showed no sign of impact damage. The pilot replaced the spark plug, and the engine ran successfully with no problems encountered. The inspector noted that the pilot had experienced numerous engine problems during the 40 hours of phase 1 flights required in the operations specifications of the airplane. Upon completing phase 1, the engine was overhauled by the shop that had built up the engine originally. It had 4 hours since being reinstalled on the airplane. The pilot stated that the engine was totally assembled when he received it, and that he did not install or remove the spark plugs. According to the pilot, the Volkswagen, VE-2276, 100-horsepower engine in his airplane only has one spark plug in each cylinder. The spark plug, Champion part number RA6HC, was installed by the engine’s manufacturer.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:40 MST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRonald V White CH701
Tail NumberN3784A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRonald V White
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsVolkswagon · VE-2276 · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 39 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50
Altimeter29.89 inHg
Observation Time23:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data