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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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June 30, 2011 · Abbey Victor RV9-A · N59VA

Leander, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 30, 2011
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Leander, TX
Aircraft
Abbey Victor RV9-A
Tail Number
N59VA
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN11LA449

The pilot departed in an experimental amateur-built airplane for a series of local test flights after a recent engine installation. During the first flight, the engine overheated and the pilot returned for a landing. The second flight was uneventful; however, during the third flight, the pilot noticed that the engine did not sound right, so he returned to the airport. The pilot and a mechanic inspected the engine and did not find any anomalies. When the pilot departed on the fourth flight, the engine lost partial power shortly after takeoff. The pilot turned back to the airport and, during the forced landing, the nose gear impacted a depression in the turf runway and the airplane nosed over. Examination of the airplane’s engine did not reveal a reason for the loss of engine power.

NTSB Probable Cause

The partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Full Narrative

On June 30, 2011, about 1615 central daylight time, an experimental amateur built RV9A airplane, N59VA, experienced a partial loss of engine power on initial climb after takeoff from the Kittie Hill Airport (77T), Leander, Texas. The commercial rated pilot sustained minor injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage during the forced landing. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. According to the pilot, following the installation of an Eggenfellner Subaru E6 engine, he flew the airplane three times before the accident flight. During the first flight, the engine overheated and the pilot returned to the airport and landed. A second flight of 30 to 45 minutes was performed maintaining higher airspeeds and the engine performed with no observed anomalies. After takeoff on the third flight, the pilot noted that the engine didn’t sound right, so he returned to the airport and landed. The pilot, along with his mechanic, examined the engine and could not locate any issues, so the pilot departed for his forth flight. After takeoff from runway 17, when the airplane reached an altitude of 200 to 300 feet, the engine lost partial power. The pilot elected to make a left turn and performed a landing to runway 30. As the airplane neared the end of its landing rollout, the nose gear impacted a depression in the turf runway and the airplane nosed over. Examination of the engine by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the airplane sustained substantial damage to its vertical stabilizer and damage it the left wing tip, canopy, nose gear, and propeller. Examination of the engine did not reveal a reason for the loss of engine power.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:15 CDT
Nearest AirportKittie Hill Airport (0nm)
Runway30
Runway Length2620 ft
Runway Width55 ft
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAbbey Victor RV9-A
Tail NumberN59VA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsEggenfellner · E-6 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 30 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter29.93 inHg
Observation Time20:46
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data