Monday, August 08, 2011

RV-7A, N462WP: Accident occurred August 07, 2011 in Paducah, Kentucky

NTSB Identification: ERA11LA444
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, August 07, 2011 in Paducah, KY
Probable Cause Approval Date: 06/28/2012
Aircraft: HODGES SAMUEL J RV-7A, registration: N462WP
Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 Uninjured.

NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The experimental amateur-built airplane was powered by a fuel-injected, automotive-conversion, rotary engine. Following an uneventful preflight inspection and run-up check of the engine, the pilot departed on the accident flight. During the initial climb, about 200 to 300 feet above the ground, the engine began to "stumble" and lost partial power. The pilot responded by selecting the alternate engine control computer and increasing the richness of the mixture, both to no avail. He subsequently performed a forced landing to a nearby road and the airplane struck a mailbox and a ditch during the landing roll. A postaccident test run of the engine was successful, and during 8 months of subsequent troubleshooting by the pilot during the process of rebuilding the airplane, the engine anomaly encountered on the accident flight could not be duplicated or definitively determined.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
A partial loss of engine power during the initial climb for undetermined reasons.

On August 7, 2011, at 1332 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built RV-7A, N462WP, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after takeoff from Western Kentucky Airpark (5KY3), Paducah, Kentucky. The certificated private pilot/owner/builder was not injured and the passenger incurred minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight, which was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

After an uneventful preflight inspection and engine start, the pilot taxied the airplane and conducted a pre-takeoff run-up of the engine. During the run-up the pilot tested the dual ignition system and the primary and secondary engine control computers for proper function. Noting no abnormalities, the pilot proceeded with the takeoff.

While climbing the airplane at an airspeed of about 100 knots, and about 200 to 300 feet above the ground, the pilot noted that the engine began to "stumble" and lost partial power. The pilot responded by switching engine control computers, richening the mixture, and then began searching for a forced landing site. He did not note any abnormal engine instrument indications, and could not recall the engine's rpm during the descent. During the forced landing to a nearby road, the airplane struck a mailbox and a ditch, damaging the left wing tip and the right wing spar.

An experimental amateur-built special airworthiness certificate was issued for the airplane on February 27, 2010. The airplane was powered by an automotive-type, Mazda 13B engine, rated at 200 horse power. The fuel-injected, computer-controlled rotary engine was mated to a gear reduction drive unit and a two-blade constant speed propeller. At the time of the accident the airplane had accumulated 70 total hours of operation, while the engine had accumulated 80 total hours of operation.

After the airplane was recovered to the pilot's hangar, the pilot and a Federal Aviation Administration inspector conducted a test run of the airplane's engine on the day following the accident flight. According to the inspector, the engine started immediately and exhibited smooth and continuous operation at an idle power setting. In the 8 months following the accident, the pilot rebuilt the airplane and continued attempts to troubleshoot the loss of power. Despite numerous attempted on-ground test runs at various power settings, including high power settings, the pilot was unable to duplicate or otherwise definitively determine a reason for the loss of power during the accident flight.

The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single engine land. He reported 166 total hours of flight experience, 72 hours of which were in the accident airplane make and model.

The 1453 recorded weather at Barkley Regional Airport (PAH),Paducah, Kentucky, located about 11 nautical miles northwest of the accident site, included winds from 220 degrees magnetic at 8 knots, clear skies, 10 statute miles visibility, temperature 32 degrees C, dewpoint 24 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 29.82 inches of mercury.





PADUCAH, KY (8/8/11) - At approximately 1:32 PM McCracken County Deputies were dispatched to a reported plane crash in the 200 block of Bonds road, just off of Hardmoney road in the south eastern corner of McCracken county.

Upon arrival of officials on the scene, it was determined that the single-engine two-seat experimental airplane had just taken off from the Grow Air Park on Shemwell lane.

The pilot and owner of the airplane, 47-year-old Samuel Hodges from Dawson Springs, Kentucky stated he had just taken off and for unknown reasons the engine started to misfire. He was approximately 250 feet when the engine stalled.

Hodges noticed water standing in the fields so he attempted to land the airplane on Bonds road. Just after setting the plane down the right wing struck a mail box. This sent the airplane toward the right shoulder in the direction of a tree that is close to the road. He steered the plane to the left to avoid the tree but his left wheel dropped off the asphalt. This caused his left wing to drop into the fence row and spin the plane around where it came to rest partially blocking Bonds road.

Rose Hodges, Samuel's wife was passenger in the plane. She was treated and released at Lourdes E.R. for minor injuries, and pain in her neck and back. Samuel Hodges had no complaint of injury.

The crash is under investigation by the FAA to determine the cause of the mechanical failure.

Also assisting on scene was the Hendron Fire department, McCracken County DES/ Rescue, And Mercy Ambulance Service.

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