Amateur-built RV-8 accident near Galice, Oregon, May 31, 2022
On May 31, 2022 at about 4:40 pm local time, a 2002 amateur-built RV-8, registered N298DM, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Galice, Oregon (Grants Pass airport). 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 in-flight failure of the crankshaft gear’s alignment dowel as a result of the retaining bolt not being installed, which lead to a total loss of engine power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 31, 2022 · about 4:40 pm local time
- Place
- Galice, Oregon · Grants Pass · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV-8, built 2002
- Registration
- N298DM · no longer on the register · serial 80-298
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was maneuvering the airplane over a river about 3,000 feet above mean sea level (msl) with the engine operating at 2,200 rpm. After a few minutes, the pilot heard a “pop” emanating from the engine compartment followed by a loss of engine power. With no suitable terrain to land in the area, the pilot opted to ditch in the river adjacent to the shoreline. The airplane touched down in a calm current near some exposed rocks. A team of swift-water rescue divers arrived at a boat ramp across the river with the intention of performing a training exercise that morning. The team carried the pilot and passenger to shore without injury. A postaccident examination revealed that the crankshaft gear was missing its retaining bolt and lock-plate. The alignment dowel was sheared off and the crankshaft gear’s mounting flange was damaged. Mounting flange material was found in the sump, but the missing bolt and lock-plate were not found, likely because it was never installed at the last overhaul (98.9 hours before 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 (total) during enroute (cruise) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Forgotten action/omission › Maintenance personnel
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng rear section › Incorrect service/maintenance
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,257 hours in all; 47 in this make and model; 218 in the last 90 days; 56 in the last 30 days; 2,916 as pilot in command; 1,176 on instruments
- Last flight review: May 11, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 97 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, June 1, 2021; 45 hours since
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2D (piston); 97 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 3S8 Grants Pass OR at 4:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 67°F (19°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observation at 9:46 am from KSXT, 9 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on April 10, 2024. 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, 7 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Engine Examination Report | PDF, 10 pages | 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.