Van's RV6A N811KM

Summary

On 21 March 2015 at about 16:20 local time, a Van's RV6A registered N811KM, operated by James Galvin, was involved in an accident near Green Valley, Arizona, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 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

21 March 2015 at 16:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Green Valley, Arizona, United States

Nearest airport

Ruby Star Airpark (14AZ)

Coordinates

31.9111, -111.1178

Aircraft

Van's RV6A

Registration

N811KM

Category

Airplane

Year built

1998

Engines

1

Operator

James Galvin

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Green Valley → Tucson

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR15LA130

2 people had minor injuries.

The total loss of engine power during initial climb due to the disconnection of both fuel pump power wires.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, after the airplane took off and reached an altitude of about 300 ft above ground level, the engine lost power. He then initiated a right turn toward the airport. Subsequently, the airplane impacted terrain and trees adjacent to the runway and nosed over. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right fuel pump power wire was disconnected at its terminal and that the left fuel pump power wire was partially disconnected from its terminal, which would result in no positive fuel pressure being supplied to the engine; the engine was not equipped with an engine-driven fuel pump. The examination also revealed that the crimp on the terminal connector for the right fuel pump power wire was likely incorrect, which allowed the wire to disconnect from its terminal; however, it could not be determined how the left fuel pump power wire became partially disconnected from its terminal. No additional anomalies were found during the examination of the airframe and engine that would have precluded normal operation. Based on the evidence, it is likely that the disconnection of both fuel pump power wires led to a loss of fuel pressure to the engine and the subsequent loss of engine power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.