Bender Thomas G RV-6 N111XF

Summary

On 2 January 2024 at about 17:30 local time, a Bender Thomas G RV-6 registered N111XF was involved in an accident near Moriarty, New Mexico, 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

2 January 2024 at 17:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Moriarty, New Mexico, United States

Nearest airport

Moriarty Muni (0E0)

Coordinates

34.9730, -105.9939

Aircraft

Bender Thomas G RV-6

Registration

N111XF

Category

Airplane

Year built

1997

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR24LA063

1 person had minor injuries.

A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the airplane was operating normally throughout the preflight and initial takeoff. Shortly after becoming airborne, and while still over the runway, the engine began to “stutter” and lose power. The pilot turned on the electric fuel pump, but the engine did not respond. During the forced landing that followed, the airplane exited the runway and the landing gear collapsed, substantially damaging the fuselage. The pilot stated that 6 to 12 months before the accident he had experienced a similar instance of an engine failure during takeoff, but he was able to land during that instance. He attributed that loss of power to a failed fuel pump. He stated that he replaced the failed fuel pump with a used fuel pump that was on an engine that he rebuilt 70 yrs ago. Attempts to contact the pilot to access the airplane and engine for an examination were unsuccessful. Although the fuel pump was reportedly 70 yrs old, investigators could not determine if it failed. Therefore, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.