RV4 - Final Report - N214FL

[A2022]

well, if you have a total electrical failure in-flight on a totally electrical dependent aircraft, you have a problem. another case of a single point electrical failure bringing the aircraft down. Mazda engines don't operate very well without electrical power. most likely for this build, "he didn't know what he didn't know".

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/ ... 195534/pdf

Analysis
The pilot reported that approximately 7 miles from his destination airport, he reduced engine power to descend when, “suddenly everything went dark” and the engine lost all power. The automotive style powerplant ignition system was dependent upon the airplane’s battery system. Unable to restart the engine, the pilot attempted a forced landing in a field. The pilot was unable to operate the electrically driven flaps, and as a result, he over flew a series of hay fields before touching down in a third field. The airplane approached a barbed wire fence at the end of the field, so the pilot attempted to steer away from it. The right wing and main landing gear dug into the terrain and spun the airplane around, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing.

A post-accident examination of the airplane by the pilot found that the airplane’s battery had intermittent voltage drops as a result of an internal crack in the bridge between cells.

Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
A total loss of engine power and navigational equipment as a result of a faulty battery.