Amateur-built VANS RV 8 accident near Orange, Massachusetts, September 26, 2017
On September 26, 2017 at about 4:50 pm local time, a 2003 amateur-built VANS RV 8, registered N184SJ, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern downwind) near Orange, Massachusetts (Orange Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to remove the engine cowl plugs during preflight, which resulted in excessive engine cylinder head temperatures during climb and a total loss of engine power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 26, 2017 · about 4:50 pm local time · cases in 2017
- Place
- Orange, Massachusetts · Orange Muni · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built VANS RV 8 UNDESIGNAT, built 2003
- Registration
- N184SJ · registry record · serial 81645
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aviation safety inspector reported that, during a telephone conversation, the pilot reported that, during the climb, he noticed the engine cylinder heat temperature gauge exceed 500°F. The pilot added that he immediately turned back to the departure airport, and while in the downwind for the landing runway, the engine lost power. The pilot further added that the airplane immediately lost altitude and cleared a tree line in the path to the runway but then impacted terrain hard in a base-to-final flightpath near the runway threshold. He added that, when he exited the airplane, he observed an engine cowl plug installed on the right side of the engine cowl and removed it. The right wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage. The FAA inspector reported that he traveled to the accident, and while on-site, he observed the left cowl plug melted onto the engine cylinders. He added that the right cowl plug was found on the ground near the airplane. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot did not submit the National Transportation Safety Board Form 6120.1 Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report.
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 (VFR pattern downwind) defining event
- Loss of control in flight during landing
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
- Aircraft servicing event during prior to flight
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Lack of action › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Inspection › Preflight inspection › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Power plant › Engine cowling system › Inadequate inspection other cases naming the engine
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent/approach/glide path › Attain/maintain not possible
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Failure other cases naming the engine
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ORE Orange MA at 4:40 pm
- Flight plan: not recorded
- Runway 32, 4,801 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: dawn
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observation at 4:52 pm from KORE
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 3 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photo 1 – Overview of Accident Site
Photo 3 – Engine Cowl Plug as Found After Accident
Photo 4 – Overview of Accident Airplane and Cowl PlugThe NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on November 13, 2017. 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 | FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversation (FAA Inspector) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Accident Photos | PDF, 4 pages · our copy | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N184SJ on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360 8,560 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Orange Municipal · nearest airport
- Accidents and incidents in Massachusetts 987 since 1982 · 90 in the last ten years
- Massachusetts 2,646 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/GAA17CA557.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.