Amateur-built RV-9A accident near Ashland, Virginia, June 1, 2010
On June 1, 2010 at about 4:55 pm local time, a amateur-built RV-9A, registered N858JK, was substantially damaged in an accident during emergency descent near Ashland, Virginia (Hanover County airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point during a forced landing in gusting wind. Contributing to the accident was a total loss of engine power, likely due to carburetor ice.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 1, 2010 · about 4:55 pm local time
- Place
- Ashland, Virginia · Hanover County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV-9A
- Registration
- N858JK · no longer on the register · serial 91328
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot/builder was in the process of conducting the experimental airplane's 40-hour Phase 1 test flights. He departed his home airport and landed at an airport about 30 miles away without incident. Shortly after takeoff, the engine experienced a momentary sudden reduction in rpm. The pilot elected to return to his home airport and while en route the engine experienced additional sudden and intermittent power reductions. The pilot was able to restore power either by applying full throttle or the application of carburetor heat. With the airplane approximately 2.5 miles from his home airport, the engine rpm decreased again and the pilot applied carburetor heat without any affect. The engine ceased producing power completely and the pilot elected to attempt to lose altitude and perform a forced landing to the runway. The pilot overshot the runway and the airplane touched down in the grass past the runway surface and nosed over. A postaccident examination of the airplane and engine did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions that would have resulted in a loss of engine power. Removal of several of the engine's spark plugs revealed that they were dark in coloration, consistent with a rich mixture. A weather observation taken at the airport, about the time of the accident included, wind from 210 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 19 knots, a temperature 30 degrees Celsius (C), and a dew point of 20 degrees C. Review of a carburetor icing envelope chart revealed that the reported temperature and dew point at the time of the accident was within the "serious icing" at glide power area of the chart.
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 (total) during approach
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Landing area overshoot during emergency descent defining event
The NTSB's findings
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › (general) › (general) › Failure
- factor Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › Conducive to carburetor icing › Effect on equipment
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent/approach/glide path › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › (general) › Effect on operation
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 261 hours in all; 30 in this make and model; 35 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 159 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 13, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 22 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, August 21, 2009; 22 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,750 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Eci O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: XSA Tappahannock VA at 4:30 pm
- Destination: OFP Ashland VA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 34, 5,402 ft by 1,647 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 10 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 3,400 ft
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observation at 4:54 pm from OFP, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.