NTSB Identification: WPR13LA085
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, January 05, 2013 in Julian, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 12/19/2014
Aircraft: Jeremiah Jackson Vans RV-10, registration: N262NJ
Injuries: 1 Minor.
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 pilot reported that this was the fourth flight of the airplane’s phase one flight testing. About 2 hours into the flight (with an airplane total time of 6 hours), the pilot observed the oil pressure reduce rapidly to about 5 pounds per square inch. He did not notice any other problems with the airplane or engine, but he declared an emergency and requested a direct approach to a nearby airport. Within 5 minutes, the engine lost all oil pressure and the engine lost power. The airplane was unable to reach any available airstrips; therefore, the pilot turned toward a winding dirt road on top of a ridge. While maneuvering to avoid obstacles at a trailhead, the airplane hit a steep embankment and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. During a postaccident examination, an oil line near the oil filter was found to be disconnected, most likely due to insufficient tightening of the fitting, which led to its loosening during cruise flight. The loosened fitting allowed oil to spray into the cowling and exit out the lower nose area. The pilot stated that there were no indications of oil leakage during the preflight inspection.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
A loss of engine power due to oil starvation as a result of a disconnected oil line. Contributing to the accident was an insufficiently tightened oil line fitting.
On January 5, 2013, about 1300 Pacific standard time, an experimental Jeremiah Jackson Vans RV-10, N262NJ, made an off-field forced landing near Julian, California. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The private pilot sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage from impact forces. The local personal flight departed Ramona, California, about 1045. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.
The pilot reported that the airplane was in phase one flight testing. The airplane and engine had a total time of 6 hours, and this was the fourth test flight. He was about 2 hours into his flight, and heading toward his home airport with the airplane level at 8,500 feet mean sea level. He observed the oil pressure go down rapidly to about 5 pounds per square inch (psi), but did not notice any other problems with the airplane or engine. He declared an emergency, and requested a direct approach to Ramona airport, runway 27.
Within 5 minutes, the engine lost all oil pressure, and the engine seized. He was unable to make any available airstrips, and observed a steep gorge ahead of him. He turned, and elected to land on a winding dirt road on top of a ridge. He avoided trees and cars parked at a trailhead, but the airplane hit a steep embankment. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings.
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the wreckage. He observed that an oil line just to the right of the oil filter was disconnected. Oil sprayed into the cowling, and exited out the lower nose at approximately the 5:30-6 o'clock position.
The pilot stated that there were no indications of oil leakage during the preflight inspection.
N262NJ first flight: http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=94560
http://www.vansaircraft.com/public/first-flights.htm
NTSB Identification: WPR13LA085
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, January 05, 2013 in Julian, CA
Aircraft: Jeremiah Jackson Vans RV-10, registration: N262NJ
Injuries: 1 Minor.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
On January 5, 2013, about 1240 Pacific standard time, an experimental Jeremiah Jackson Vans RV-10, N262NJ, made an off field forced landing near Julian, California. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The private pilot sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage from impact forces. The local personal flight departed Ramona, California, about 1040. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.
The pilot reported that he was in phase one flight testing; the airplane and engine had a total time of 6 hours. He was about 2 hours into his flight when he observed the oil pressure go down rapidly. He headed toward his home airport, but the engine lost all oil pressure. He landed on a dirt road on top of a ridge, but encountered high vegetation. The rough road conditions resulted in the main landing gear separating from the airframe, and both wings sustained substantial damage.
Vans RV-10, N262NJ
CEDAR CREEK FALLS - January 5, 2013 - A pilot, identified as Jeremiah Jackson of Del Mar California, was able to perform a hard landing in the Julian mountains near Cedar Creek Falls. Jackson, with eight world, and one national-level, aviation records, was unhurt in the crash. San Diego Sheriff's ASTREA helicopter was able to locate the crash scene and guide first responders to the scene. Fire crews were dispatched to the crash at 1:13 PM. The plane is listed as a "VANS PV-10". It is a homebuilt single-engine fixed-wing 4-seater aircraft. It's maiden flight was on December 27, 2012, less than two weeks before todays crash. The FAA and the NTSB are investigating the crash.
IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 262NJ Make/Model: EXP Description: VANS RV-10
Date: 01/05/2013 Time: 2040
Event Type: Accident Highest Injury: None Mid Air: N Missing: N
Damage: Substantial
LOCATION
City: RAMONA State: CA Country: US
DESCRIPTION
AIRCRAFT FORCE LANDED ON A ROAD, 10 MILES FROM RAMONA, CA
INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 0
# Crew: 1 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Pass: 0 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
OTHER DATA
Activity: Pleasure Phase: Landing Operation: OTHER
FAA FSDO: SAN DIEGO, CA (WP09) Entry date: 01/07/2013
