Accident Van's RV-9A N159AS,
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ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 2511
 
This record has been locked for editing.

Date:Thursday 21 February 2008
Time:11:48
Type:Silhouette image of generic RV9 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different    
Van's RV-9A
Owner/operator:Private
Registration: N159AS
MSN: 90995
Total airframe hrs:60 hours
Engine model:Eggenfellner H-6
Fatalities:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Aircraft damage: Substantial
Category:Accident
Location:Princeton Airport, NJ -   United States of America
Phase: Initial climb
Nature:Private
Departure airport:Princeton, NJ (39N)
Destination airport:
Investigating agency: NTSB
Confidence Rating: Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Narrative:
Prior to the accident flight, the airplane had accumulated about 1 flight hour since the pilot completed the installation of a new aftermarket fuel injection and ignition system. Shortly after takeoff on the accident flight, as the pilot turned onto the crosswind leg of the traffic pattern, the engine lost power, and the propeller "stopped." The pilot added that he believed the electrical system was functioning at the time because the electronic flight instrument system and the communication radio continued to function. The pilot subsequently performed a forced landing into the dense forest below. Although the wreckage was fire-damaged during the recovery process, examination of the engine revealed that while the pilot had installed a new after market fuel injection/ignition system , an original-equipment diode bridge remained in place. The diode bridge provided dual electrical paths to the engine control unit, thereby providing electrical power to the ignition system. The original ignition system, for which the diode bridge was designed, drew between 4 and 6 amperes for operation, while the aftermarket system drew between 8 and 12 amperes. The only manifestation of a failure of the diode bridge would be on engine operation; the remainder of the electrical system would continue to function normally.
Probable Cause: A loss of engine power due to the pilot/owner's improper installation of a new ignition/fuel control system for the engine. Contributing was the unsuitable terrain for a forced landing.

Accident investigation:
cover
  
Investigating agency: NTSB
Report number: NYC08LA107
Status: Investigation completed
Duration: 6 months
Download report: Final report

Sources:

NTSB

Location

Revision history:

Date/timeContributorUpdates
22-Feb-2008 12:20 Fusko Added
22-Feb-2008 12:21 harro Updated
21-Dec-2016 19:13 ASN Update Bot Updated [Time, Damage, Category, Investigating agency]
21-Dec-2016 19:14 ASN Update Bot Updated [Time, Damage, Category, Investigating agency]
21-Dec-2016 19:16 ASN Update Bot Updated [Time, Damage, Category, Investigating agency]
21-Dec-2016 19:20 ASN Update Bot Updated [Time, Damage, Category, Investigating agency]
03-Dec-2017 09:34 ASN Update Bot Updated [Cn, Other fatalities, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative]

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