RV8A - Final Report - N184DC

[A2022]

ASN Report

well, nothing like landing in a tree.

https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/410952

An experimental Van's RV-8A, kit built by Gregory C Chapman, experienced an engine failure when taking off from runway 18 at Ellis/Harvey Airport (0OK6), Guthrie, Oklahoma, and impacted trees and terrain near Ellis/Harvey Airport (0OK6), Guthrie, Oklahoma. The sole pilot suffered minor injuries, and the aircraft received substantial damage.

[A2022]

Preliminary report.

interesting to note that he could determine which cylinders were failing...

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/ ... 194935/pdf

On August 14, 2024, about 2000 central daylight time, a Vans RV-8A airplane, N184DC, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Guthrie, Oklahoma. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, about 40 ft above ground level during the initial climb from the grass airstrip, the engine cylinders No. 2 and 3 lost power. About 10 seconds later, engine cylinders No. 1 and 4 lost power. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude and switched fuel tanks in an attempt to regain engine power. The pilot noted no change in the engine performance, and the airplane impacted trees beyond the departure end of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, fuselage, and empennage. Initial postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any anomalies. The airplane was retained for further examination.

[A2022]

RV8A - Final Report - N184DC

well, when you are a dumb ass and include rivets as the structure for the intake you will have catastrophic consequences at some point and probably end in the trees. there is no end to morons.... they just keep coming, but the aircraft paint looked good. perhaps this post will save a life in the future. it does make you wonder why we are spending good FAA investigation money on dimwit cobbled together hardware failures.

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/ ... 194935/pdf

Analysis
The pilot reported that about 40 ft above ground level (agl) during the initial climb from the grass airstrip, engine cylinder Nos. 2 and 3 lost power. About 10 seconds later, engine cylinder Nos. 1 and 4 lost power. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude. He switched fuel tanks in an attempt to regain engine power but noted no change in the engine performance. The airplane impacted trees beyond the departure end of the runway and sustained substantial damage to both wings, fuselage, and empennage.

Post accident examination of the engine revealed an air filter retaining bracket that was fastened to a fiberglass air snorkel/box had separated and was ingested into the No. 2 cylinder. The separated bracket then jammed the intake valve into the open position, resulting in a loss of engine power. Elongation was noted on the fiberglass where the rivets secured the fabricated retaining bracket.

Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: A loss of engine power due to the separation and ingestion of an air filter retaining bracket into the engine cylinder.