Amateur-built RV10 accident near Fort Worth, Texas, June 16, 2021
On June 16, 2021 at about 12:30 pm local time, a amateur-built RV10, registered N878TD, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Fort Worth, Texas (Hicks Airfield). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power due to a separated electronic ignition system connector. Contributing to the accident was the location of the ignition boxes, which provided limited access to the connectors for visual inspection.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 16, 2021 · about 12:30 pm local time
- Place
- Fort Worth, Texas · Hicks Airfield · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV10
- Registration
- N878TD · no longer on the register · serial 40669
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, during the initial climb following a touch-and-go landing, the engine backfired and lost partial power about 200 ft above ground level. The airplane descended and collided with a power line before impact with terrain and a tree, resulting in substantial damage. The airplane engine was equipped with an electronic ignition system and automotive-style sparkplugs. The ignition system was field-tested by passing a magnet over the flywheel ignition sensor; spark was observed only on one bank of the ignition system. The ignition leads and coil labels did not necessarily correspond to the associated cylinder, and the ignition firing order was not confirmed. The ignition control boxes were located behind the firewall, and the fuselage was cut open to allow access to the boxes. The output cable on ignition box #1 was found disconnected and the pin connectors were not fully secured. The boxes could only be accessed from under the instrument panel and by reaching above the rudder pedals. The accident is consistent with a partial loss of engine power due to the disconnection of the #1 ignition box, likely as a result of not being fully secured. It is likely that the location of the ignition boxes, which limited access and visual inspection of the connections, contributed to the accident.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (partial) during maneuvering defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Ignition system › Ignition system wiring › Inoperative
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Ignition system › Ignition system wiring › Design
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 465 hours in all; 23 in this make and model; 9 in the last 30 days; 454 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 15, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 23 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, January 12, 2021
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-A1D5 (piston); 4,321 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 14, 3,760 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 ft
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 am from KAFW, 5 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KAFW 161253Z 00000KT 10SM FEW250 25/21 A3005 RMK AO2 SLP157 T02500211=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on November 18, 2021. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Examination | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Photos | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.