Swanson RV-9A N858JK

Summary

On 1 June 2010 at about 16:55 local time, a Swanson RV-9A registered N858JK was involved in an accident near Ashland, Virginia, 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

1 June 2010 at 16:55

Classification

Accident

Location

Ashland, Virginia, United States

Nearest airport

Hanover County (OFP)

Coordinates

37.7089, -77.4364

Aircraft

Swanson RV-9A

Registration

N858JK

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Tappahannock → Ashland

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA10LA294

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point during a forced landing in gusting wind. Contributing to the accident was a total loss of engine power, likely due to carburetor ice.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot/builder was in the process of conducting the experimental airplane's 40-hour Phase 1 test flights. He departed his home airport and landed at an airport about 30 miles away without incident. Shortly after takeoff, the engine experienced a momentary sudden reduction in rpm. The pilot elected to return to his home airport and while en route the engine experienced additional sudden and intermittent power reductions. The pilot was able to restore power either by applying full throttle or the application of carburetor heat. With the airplane approximately 2.5 miles from his home airport, the engine rpm decreased again and the pilot applied carburetor heat without any affect. The engine ceased producing power completely and the pilot elected to attempt to lose altitude and perform a forced landing to the runway. The pilot overshot the runway and the airplane touched down in the grass past the runway surface and nosed over. A postaccident examination of the airplane and engine did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions that would have resulted in a loss of engine power. Removal of several of the engine's spark plugs revealed that they were dark in coloration, consistent with a rich mixture. A weather observation taken at the airport, about the time of the accident included, wind from 210 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 19 knots, a temperature 30 degrees Celsius (C), and a dew point of 20 degrees C. Review of a carburetor icing envelope chart revealed that the reported temperature and dew point at the time of the accident was within the "serious icing" at glide power area of the chart.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.