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NTSB Report

August 10, 2014 · Nelson RV 3M · N43AZ

North Plains, OR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 10, 2014
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
North Plains, OR
Aircraft
Nelson RV 3M (1991)
Tail Number
N43AZ
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR14LA338

The pilot reported that, after a thorough preflight inspection, he taxied the airplane to the run-up area with the right fuel tank selected. He then switched to the left fuel tank for the run-up, and all indications were normal. He then switched back to the right fuel tank and took off for the personal cross-country flight. When the airplane reached about 200 ft above ground level, he made a left turn. Subsequently, the engine power reduced to about 1,000 rpm. The pilot chose to initiate a precautionary landing to a field during which the landing gear folded up beneath and into the bottom of the wings that resulted in substantial damaged to both wings and the fuselage. Subsequently the airplane slid about 100 yards before coming to rest. Although only about 1 inch of fuel was found in the left-wing fuel tank, and no fuel was found in the right-wing fuel tank, there was evidence that fuel had drained out of the airplane; thus, fuel exhaustion was unlikely. Based on the available information, the reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons which resulted in a landing gear collapse during the precautionary landing to a field.

Full Narrative

On August 10, 2014, about 1220 Pacific daylight time, a Nelson RV-3M airplane, N43AZ, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near North Plains, Oregon. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that, after a thorough preflight inspection, he taxied the airplane to the run-up area with the right fuel tank selected. He then switched to the left fuel tank for the run-up process, and all indications were normal. He then switched back to the right fuel tank and took off. When the airplane reached about 200 ft above ground level, he made a left turn, and the engine power reduced to about 1,000 rpm. The pilot chose to initiate a precautionary landing to a field during which the landing gear folded up beneath and into the bottom of the wings that resulted in substantial damaged to both wings and the fuselage. Subsequently, the airplane slid about 100 yards before coming to a rest. One inch of fuel was found in the left-wing fuel tank, and no fuel was found in the right-wing fuel tank. Evidence was found that fuel had drained out of the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:20 PDT
Nearest AirportNorth Plains Gliderport (5nm ENE)
Runway09
Runway Length2000 ft
Runway Width200 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftNelson RV 3M
Tail NumberN43AZ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 E2D · Reciprocating · 160
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 53 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55
Altimeter30.01 inHg
Observation Time18:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data