Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary WPR20LA225

Grimes, CA, USA

Aircraft #1

N508CM

Vans RV 8

Analysis

The pilot stated that he landed the airplane at a friend’s private airstrip and taxied back to take off again. During the takeoff roll, the engine lost power and he aborted the takeoff. Later that day, the engine was examined by a mechanic, who was unable to find any anomalies. After the mechanic cleared the airplane for flight, the pilot taxied to the runway, performed two run-up checks, then proceeded to take off. About 50 to 70 ft above ground level, the engine again lost partial power. The pilot performed a forced landing in a corn field, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The airplane wreckage was sold before an examination could be scheduled; therefore, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Factual Information

On July 17, 2020, about 1345 Pacific daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built RV-8 airplane, N508CM, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Grimes, California. The private pilot and pilot-rated passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot stated that he landed the airplane at a friend’s private airstrip and taxied back to take off again. During the takeoff roll, the engine lost power and he aborted the takeoff. Later that day, the engine was examined by a mechanic, who was unable to find any anomalies. After the mechanic cleared the airplane for flight, the pilot taxied to the runway, performed two run-up checks, and then proceeded to take off. About 50 to 70 ft above ground level, the engine again lost partial power. The pilot performed a forced landing in a corn field, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The airplane wreckage was sold before an examination could be scheduled; therefore, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Probable Cause and Findings

A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because the airplane was not examined.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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