Sheehan Kevin A VANS RV-8 N772KS

Summary

On 5 September 2023 at about 23:42 local time, a Sheehan Kevin A VANS RV-8 registered N772KS was involved in an accident near Umatilla, Florida, 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

5 September 2023 at 23:42

Classification

Accident

Location

Umatilla, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Umatilla Muni (X23)

Coordinates

28.9318, -81.6516

Aircraft

Sheehan Kevin A VANS RV-8

Registration

N772KS

Category

Airplane

Year built

2005

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Sanford

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

ERA23LA365

1 person had minor injuries.

A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he had fully fueled the experimental amateur-built airplane before departure and had about 40 gallons of fuel on board. He then reported, and witness video confirmed, that shortly after departure, about 150 ft above ground level, the engine began to “sputter and cough” before sustaining a total loss of power. The pilot maintained flying airspeed, switched fuel tanks, and checked that the fuel boost pump was on. He noticed that there was no runway remaining and aimed for a large yard that was across a lake off the departure end of the runway. He was unable to glide to the yard and impacted the lake, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. Postaccident examination of the airplane found that the fuel line from the electric fuel boost pump to the fuel sump was fractured and detached from the pump, though given the damage to the pump mounting bracket and fuselage structure surrounding it, it is likely that the fuel line separation was the result of impact forces. No other evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane or engine were found that would have precluded normal operation and a reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.