Charles Maxted RV6 N440CM

Summary

On 16 September 2002 at about 20:00 local time, a Charles Maxted RV6 registered N440CM was involved in an accident near Bay Minette, Alabama, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

16 September 2002 at 20:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Bay Minette, Alabama, United States

Nearest airport

Bay Minette Municipal (1R8)

Coordinates

30.8703, -87.8175

Aircraft

Charles Maxted RV6

Registration

N440CM

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Bay Minette → Bayou La Batre

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA02LA169

Nobody was injured.

The intentional operation of the airplane with known deficiencies with the right magneto resulting in the partial loss of engine power during the initial climb.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that during a previous flight, the engine rpm decreased 150 to 175 rpm after switching fuel tanks. He elected to land at the Bay Minette Municipal Airport. While there, 5 gallons of 100 low lead fuel were added and he talked with a mechanic at the airport. He also performed an engine run-up and the engine sounded, "...OK. Not rough as before." He decided to depart intending to climb to 3,000 or 4,000 feet, remaining close to the airport, before deciding to continue to the initial intended destination airport. The engine ran OK until just after liftoff, when the engine began to run rough again. He aborted the takeoff, and landed uneventfully but was unable to stop the airplane on the runway. He intentionally ground looped the airplane to avoid a fence and a 8-foot embankment. The pilot stated to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector-in-charge (FAA-IIC), that after landing at Bay Minette, he ran the engine which ran rough. Maintenance personnel at Bay Minette advised him that he had a bad right magneto, and repairs could be performed. He (pilot) again ran the engine reporting no magneto drop during the run. He elected to takeoff and continue to his original destination airport. Following recovery of the airplane, in the presence of the FAA-IIC, the engine was started but could only be operated to between 1,000 and 1,200 rpm due to damage to the engine mount. During the engine run, a magneto check was performed but a rpm decrease could not be detected. Examination of the right magneto revealed that the points were not opening resulting in an inoperative magneto.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.