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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

July 15, 2021 · Vans RV6 A · N468AC

Riverside, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 15, 2021
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Riverside, CA
Aircraft
Vans RV6 A (2004)
Tail Number
N468AC
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR21LA271

The pilot of the experimental, amateur built airplane was undergoing an airplane checkout and flight review. The flight instructor directed the pilot to perform a power-on stall. During the maneuver, the airplane’s engine lost total power. The pilot immediately switched fuel tanks and was able to restart the engine and elected to return to the airport. The flight instructor assumed control of the airplane for the return flight. While the airplane was on short final, the engine lost total power again. The airplane subsequently impacted terrain short of the runway and came to rest inverted. Postaccident examination of the airplane found a blue liquid, consistent with 100 low-lead fuel, draining from the lower cowling. Several gallons of fuel were drained from the fuel tanks. During the engine examination, the engine was started and ran uneventfully for several minutes at various power settings, including full power. Further examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any preexisting mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation of the engine.

NTSB Probable Cause

A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined from available evidence.

Full Narrative

On July 15, 2021, about 0850 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur built RV6A, N468AC, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Riverside Municipal Airport (RAL), Riverside, California. The flight instructor sustained a serious injury, and the pilot sustained a minor injury. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to conduct an airplane checkout and flight review. During a power-on stall, the engine stopped; the pilot stated that he immediately switched fuel tanks, and the engine restarted. The pilot suggested that the airplane return to RAL, and the flight instructor told him to obtain a landing clearance. The flight instructor assumed control of the airplane because the pilot had not landed the airplane before. The tower controller instructed the pilots to extend the downwind leg for landing traffic. While on final approach to land on runway 27, the engine stopped again. According to the pilot, the flight instructor thought that the airplane was not going to reach the runway. The airplane subsequently impacted terrain short of the runway and came to rest inverted on a northern heading 450 ft from the threshold of the runway. Postaccident examination of the airplane found a blue liquid, consistent with 100 low-lead fuel, draining from the lower cowling near the quick drain. About 6-7 gallons of fuel were drained from the left fuel tank, and about 16-17 gallons of fuel was drained from the right fuel tank. The engine was started and ran uneventfully for several minutes at various power settings, including full power. No evidence of any pre existing mechanical malfunction or failure was revealed that would have precluded normal operation of the engine.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:50 PDT
Nearest AirportRiverside Muni (0nm E)
Runway09/2
Runway Length5401 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftVans RV6 A
Tail NumberN468AC
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A1A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 74 · Third Class · Minor
Crew 2Age 71 · Basc · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point26 C / 14 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time09:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data