Appel RDA 04 N835RA

Summary

On 11 October 2005 at about 15:52 local time, a Appel RDA 04 registered N835RA, operated by William G. Ashley, was involved in an accident near Clovis, New Mexico, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

11 October 2005 at 15:52

Classification

Accident

Location

Clovis, New Mexico, United States

Nearest airport

Clovis Muni (CVN)

Coordinates

34.4250, -103.0792

Aircraft

Appel RDA 04

Registration

N835RA

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

William G. Ashley

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Clovis → Clovis

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX06CA007

Nobody was injured.

a loss of engine power due to water contamination of the fuel system. The inadequate placement of the fuel system drain by the builder was a factor.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane impacted terrain while attempting to return to the runway following a loss of engine power in the takeoff initial climb. The pilot/owner reported that he had sumped the fuel system prior to the flight. After the accident, the pilot sumped the fuel tanks and found water. The pilot found that the placement of the fuel drain did not facilitate the removal of water from the wing tanks.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.