Van's RV-8 N298DM

Summary

On 31 May 2022 at about 16:40 local time, a Van's RV-8 registered N298DM was involved in an accident near Galice, Oregon, United States. 2 people were 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

31 May 2022 at 16:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Galice, Oregon, United States

Nearest airport

Grants Pass (3S8)

Coordinates

42.5635, -123.5747

Aircraft

Van's RV-8

Registration

N298DM

Category

Airplane

Year built

2002

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Grants Pass → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR22LA193

Nobody was injured.

The in-flight failure of the crankshaft gear’s alignment dowel as a result of the retaining bolt not being installed, which lead to a total loss of engine power.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was maneuvering the airplane over a river about 3,000 feet above mean sea level (msl) with the engine operating at 2,200 rpm. After a few minutes, the pilot heard a “pop” emanating from the engine compartment followed by a loss of engine power. With no suitable terrain to land in the area, the pilot opted to ditch in the river adjacent to the shoreline. The airplane touched down in a calm current near some exposed rocks. A team of swift-water rescue divers arrived at a boat ramp across the river with the intention of performing a training exercise that morning. The team carried the pilot and passenger to shore without injury. A postaccident examination revealed that the crankshaft gear was missing its retaining bolt and lock-plate. The alignment dowel was sheared off and the crankshaft gear’s mounting flange was damaged. Mounting flange material was found in the sump, but the missing bolt and lock-plate were not found, likely because it was never installed at the last overhaul (98.9 hours before the accident).

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.