The flight was the first in the RV-7 since the pilot thought the condition inspection was completed. He found out after the accident that the mechanic had not completed the condition inspection or signed off the maintenance logbook.
The mechanic reported that he still had several questions that needed to be answered.
The pilot took off for the personal, cross-country flight and then flew the airplane for 45 minutes. When the plane reached 2,000 feet above ground level, he reduced the throttle and the engine “popped” twice and then lost all power.
He looked at the fuel gauges, verified that sufficient fuel was onboard, and switched the selector valve to the other tank.
The pilot did not believe the plane could glide to the runway at the destination airport, so he chose to land the airplane in a field near Alexander City, Alabama.
During the approach, the plane hit tree tops and power lines and then terrain. A post-crash fire consumed most of the cockpit and forward portion of the airframe.
Examination of the engine, which exhibited fire damage but was intact, revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.
Probable cause: A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
NTSB Identification: ERA18LA177
This June 2018 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
As a long time mechanic, I’d question how the pilot got hold of an airplane that wasn’t “finished.” Was the A&P or IA doing the condition inspection in the guys hangar? IF so — and were it me — I’d have a red tag on the throttle saying “Do Not Fly” until I was 110% finished. If the airplane was in the mechanics shop, then the pilot should never have taken it without first speaking to the mechanic.
Further, the airplane got itself off the ground and flew for 45 minutes BEFORE reaching 2,000′ altitude? What was that about? Did the pilot remain in the pattern (correctly) testing it out or was he buzzing or what. An RV-7 can reach 2,000′ in a couple of minutes or less. And only when he reduced throttle did it “pop” and lose power. As a minimum, there’s more to this story … a lot more.
Maybe there’s a lesson to be learned here for mechanics … put a red tag on the throttle saying “Do Not Fly” when it is in for maintenance and until it’s done. SOME shops do that as part of their normal “MO.”
Sounds like there’s a little blame to go around here by both the mechanic and pilot ?? Maybe we should electrocute the mechanic AND the pilot at sunrise to make gbigs happy? (sic)
NO ONE should ever fly a plane that does not know the mechanical status. And if they are just getting one out of an annual should not get in the air without talking to the mechanic and scanning the logbooks to see what was done. And even possibly doing a couple of laps before attempting anything like a cross country flight. No one should insure this guy…and the FAA should yank his ticket.
Question: of what value is this report without having the mechanic’s input? Answer: nothing of any value whatsoever.
For what it is worth this is what I was able to dig up with regards to the mechanics statements:
In an interview with the mechanic, he stated that he had not completed the condition inspection and still had several questions that needed to be answered before he could conclude the inspection. He further stated that the engine inspection was complete, but he did not have a chance to look at the fuel filter or the fuel system.
For those who wish to read the NTSB Docket memorandum of the interview with the mechanic here ’tis. I guess it IS important to have that signoff by the IA/A&P before launching into the blue… :
“Daniel P. Boggs
Air Safety Investigator
National Transportation Safety Board
Office of Aviation Safety – Eastern Region
Date: July 16, 2018 at 0900 EDT
Person(s) Interviewed: Kevin Smith-Mechanic
NTSB Case Number: ERA18LA177
Narrative:
Mr. Kevin Smith was interviewed by telephone.
Mr. Smith stated he was working on the RV-7, N19MM, performing a condition inspection. Mr. Smith stated he was not finished with the inspection when the pilot took the airplane for a flight on June 24, 2018, and still had several questions that needed to be answered before he could sign off the inspection. Mr. Smith stated he did complete the engine inspection but did not get to look at the fuel system. He further stated he did not look at the fuel filter.
Mr. Smith does not know what happened to the airplane.”