Wonder VAN'S ACFT RV-6 N443MW

Summary

On 7 December 1993 at about 18:10 local time, a Wonder VAN'S ACFT RV-6 registered N443MW was involved in an accident near Ridgeland, South Carolina, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

7 December 1993 at 18:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Ridgeland, South Carolina, United States

Coordinates

32.4802, -80.9806

Aircraft

Wonder VAN'S ACFT RV-6

Registration

N443MW

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Lawrenceville → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL94LA027

1 person had minor injuries.

IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE MAGNETOS BY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL, WHICH ALLOWED THE RIGHT MAGNETO TO COME LOOSE, OIL TO ESCAPE FROM THE ENGINE, AND SUBSEQUENT OIL STARVATION.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

BEFORE DESCENT, THE PILOT NOTED A SLIGHT ENGINE VIBRATION. DURING DESCENT, HE NOTICED THAT THE ELECTRONIC TACHOMETER FOR THE RIGHT MAGNETO WAS READING ZERO AND BLUE SMOKE BEGAN ENTERING THE COCKPIT. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT OIL BEGAN COVERING PORTIONS OF THE WINDSCREEN AND THE ENGINE SEIZED. HE MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A COTTON FIELD ABOUT SEVEN MILES WEST OF THE DESTINATION AIRPORT. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED AN AREA OF SOFT DIRT AND NOSED OVER. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT MAGNETO HAD SEPARATED FROM THE CRANKCASE, CAUSING A LARGE HOLE FROM WHICH OIL COULD ESCAPE FROM THE ENGINE. THE LEFT MAGNETO WAS ALSO FOUND IN THE EARLY STAGES OF SEPARATION FROM THE ENGINE. THE MAGNETOS HAD BEEN INSTALLED 16 HOURS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT BY A CERTIFIED REPAIR STATION.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.