Dodd RV-4 N62VR

Summary

On 21 August 2002 at about 20:59 local time, a Dodd RV-4 registered N62VR was involved in an accident near Tehachapi, California, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 August 2002 at 20:59

Classification

Accident

Location

Tehachapi, California, United States

Nearest airport

Tehachapi Municipal (TSP)

Coordinates

35.1350, -118.4394

Aircraft

Dodd RV-4

Registration

N62VR

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Tehachapi → Tehachapi

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX02LA256

1 person had minor injuries.

the owner/builder's improperly fabricated and installed fuel line, which cracked at the point of the flare, resulting in a fuel leak and loss of engine power during the takeoff climb. A contributing factor was the soft terrain that jammed the landing gear wheels, nosing over the airplane during the ensuing forced landing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane nosed over during a forced landing in a field following a loss of engine power during the departure climb. The pilot manufactured the airplane, and it was undergoing its first test flight following the issuance of a Special Airworthiness Certificate. Approximately 10 minutes after takeoff the engine lost power. The pilot elected to land in a field. The landing forced debris into the wheel pants, which locked up the wheels. The airplane nosed over coming to rest inverted. Post accident examination of the engine by an FAA inspector revealed a fuel leak around the "B" nut that attached the aluminum fuel line to the throttle body. Removal of the nut and line revealed that the line cracked at the point of the flare. The builder had manufactured and installed this line.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.