Amateur-built RV-8A accident near Salem, Oregon, January 2, 2016
On January 2, 2016 at about 11:30 pm local time, a 2015 amateur-built RV-8A, registered N958RV, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Salem, Oregon (Salem airport). 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 total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, because postaccident examination of the engine and fuel system did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 2, 2016 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Salem, Oregon · Salem · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV-8A, built 2015
- Registration
- N958RV · registry record · serial 83139
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The purpose of the flight was to break in the engine and to evaluate the systems and flight characteristics of the newly-constructed, experimental amateur-built airplane. During the flight, the private pilot observed an elevated cylinder head temperature, which he controlled with airspeed, altitude, fuel mixture and engine power settings. The pilot returned to the airport, and, in the traffic pattern, the engine began to run rough, followed by a total loss of power. The pilot subsequently landed in an open field about 150 feet short of the runway threshold. A postaccident examination of the fuel system and a test run of the engine revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the reported loss of engine power was not determined.
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 approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Landing area undershoot during landing
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 255 hours in all; 2 in this make and model; 1 in the last 90 days; 198 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 10, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, September 7, 2015
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Aerosport IOI-375-M1 (piston); 3 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SLE Salem OR at 11:00 pm
- Destination: SLE Salem OR
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 34, 5,145 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 37°F (3°C), dew point 16°F (-9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 11:30 pm from SLE, 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.