Clark VANS RV8 N559JC

Summary

On 20 September 2005 at about 02:00 local time, a Clark VANS RV8 registered N559JC, operated by James T Clark, was involved in an accident near Sonoma, California, United States. 2 people were 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

20 September 2005 at 02:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Sonoma, California, United States

Nearest airport

Sonoma Skypark (K0Q9)

Coordinates

38.2575, -122.4356

Aircraft

Clark VANS RV8

Registration

N559JC

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

James T Clark

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Truckee → Sonoma

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX05CA310

1 person had minor injuries.

a loss of engine power due to the failure of the master electrical power switch, which removed power to the electronic ignition.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The experimental airplane collided with grapevines and support posts during a forced landing following a loss of engine power while on downwind for the runway. The pilot performed prelanding checks on downwind, and upon switching on the second fuel pump, the engine lost power. The pilot switched the fuel pump to the original position and selected the other fuel tank. Neither action caused the engine to regain its power. The pilot attempted to lower the electrically powered flaps to prepare for the emergency landing on the runway but the flaps failed to deploy. The airplane carried an excess of 30 to 40 knots while flying 10 to 20 feet above the runway; the pilot determined that he would easily overrun the 2,480-foot-long runway and impact structures at the end if he did not divert the airplanes path. He pulled up and turned left 180 degrees to dissipate the extra energy and landed along the vine rows of the neighboring vineyard. First responders reported that there appeared to be no fuel in the airplane's fuel tanks nor evidence of a post accident fuel spill or leak from the airplane. The pilot said that the airplane's electrical system powers the engine's electronic ignition, propeller pitch control, and flaps. Examination of the electrical system revealed that the "Master Power Switch" that was being used was an automotive keyed single pole single throw switch, and that the back was loose and coming apart, making the internal electrical contacts intermittent. This switch ties together power from the batteries and the alternator. Failure of this switch could result in the loss of ignition power to the engine.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.