Amateur-built RV14 accident near Orchard, Texas, September 4, 2023
On September 4, 2023 at about 4:00 pm local time, a 2017 amateur-built RV14, registered N14NP, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute near Orchard, Texas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of an alternator belt and the builder/previous owner’s incorrect electrical wiring of the airplane’s other alternator, which resulted in a total loss of electrical and engine power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 4, 2023 · about 4:00 pm local time
- Place
- Orchard, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV14 A, built 2017
- Registration
- N14NP · registry record · serial 140143
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
About 10 minutes into the accident flight, the pilot noticed the left and right battery indications on the instrument panel turned on and off several times. About 8 minutes later, he noticed a loss of electrical power to the secondary electronic flight instrument system (EFIS) and several other avionics, but the primary EFIS was still powered, and the engine continued to operate normally. The pilot turned back toward the departure airport and flew for another 10 minutes until the airplane lost all electrical and engine power. The pilot then made a forced landing to a field, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane. Recorded flight data provided by the pilot indicated that the airplane’s EFIS generated a battery alert shortly before takeoff; intermittent battery alerts continued for about 17 minutes. However, the NTSB was unable to verify the accuracy of these data. Postaccident examinations revealed that the No. 2 alternator belt had failed; the No. 1 alternator belt remained intact. The airplane’s two batteries did not show any voltage when tested with a multimeter. Due to incorrect electrical wiring, only the No. 2 alternator charged the batteries while the airplane was operating. The No. 2 alternator belt likely failed in flight, after which the engine and some avionics were able to operate for a short time using battery power. Because the airplane was equipped with an electronic ignition and fuel injection system, the engine lost power when the batteries subsequently discharged and were unable to produce adequate voltage.
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
- Electrical system malf/failure during enroute defining event
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Electrical power system › Alternator › generator drive sys › Failure
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Electrical power system › Electrical pwr sys wiring › Incorrect service/maintenance
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Installation › Owner/builder
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 740 hours in all; 20 in this make and model; 34 in the last 90 days; 14 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: September 23, 2022
- Medical certificate: BasicMed (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Pilot-Rated Passenger
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 567 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, February 1, 2023
- Maximum gross weight: 2,050 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming YIO-390-Exp 1 (piston); 269 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TX42 Monaville TX at 3:30 pm
- Destination: KLBX Angleton TX
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 7 knots
- Sky: broken clouds at 4,100 ft; scat at 3,500 ft
- Temperature: 91°F (33°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observation at 11:15 am from KTME, 12 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KTME 041615Z AUTO 23007KT SCT035 BKN041 BKN060 33/23 A2992 RMK AO2
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
11 documents, released by the NTSB on August 20, 2025. 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, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot-rated Passenger Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum for Record A�� FAA Inspector's Email Summary | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Memorandum for Record A�� Mechanic Examination Summary | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Photos | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Airframe Maintenance Logbook | PDF, 21 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Engine Maintenance Logbook | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Electrical System Documents | PDF, 29 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Pilot's Flight Data Assessment | spreadsheet | Download |
| 10 | Flight Data | data file | Download |
| 11 | Garmin G3X Data | data file | Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N14NP the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.