Munson Roger J RV-8 N284RM

Summary

On 24 May 2021 at about 17:30 local time, a Munson Roger J RV-8 registered N284RM was involved in an accident near Van Cleve, Kentucky, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

24 May 2021 at 17:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Van Cleve, Kentucky, United States

Coordinates

37.6171, -83.3889

Aircraft

Munson Roger J RV-8

Registration

N284RM

Category

Airplane

Year built

2004

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Pickens → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA21FA229

1 person died.

A loss of engine power due to loss of engine oil pressure.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During a cross-country flight at cruise altitude, the pilot reported a loss of engine oil pressure and loss of engine power to air traffic control and subsequently performed a forced landing to a field. The airplane impacted the ground and the wreckage was partially consumed by a post impact fire. Examination of the wreckage revealed oil staining on a portion of the horizontal stabilizer and broken pieces of the windscreen that were found at the site. Examination of the engine revealed that with the exception of the oil sump, which had been partially consumed by the postimpact fire, the crankcase, cylinders were intact, and continuity of the crankshaft and valvetrain were confirmed. The examination also found that an oil line connecting the engine to an aftermarket oil valve had separated, though it could not be determined if the separation occurred prior to, or as a result of the airplane’s impact with the ground. Overall, the engine did not display signatures consistent with a catastrophic loss of engine power and accompanying breach of the engine crankcase. Given the pilot’s report of a loss of oil pressure (and loss of engine power), and the oil staining observed on the wreckage, it is likely that such a failure was imminent. Given the extent of the fire damage to the engine, the reason for the loss of oil pressure could not be determined. A review of the pilot’s pathological information revealed the presence of ethanol, which was most likely from postmortem production rather than ingestion. Therefore, the presence of ethanol did not contribute to the circumstances of the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.