Accident Overview
On April 8, 2023, at approximately 1830 central standard time, an amateur-built Vans RV-6A airplane, registration N48PS, sustained substantial damage during an accident near Goldsby, Oklahoma. The aircraft was operating under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. The pilot received minor injuries.
Flight Sequence
The local flight departed runway 13 from David Jay Perry Airport in Goldsby. According to the pilot, about 8 to 10 seconds after rotation, the engine emitted loud popping and banging sounds, accompanied by a reduction in engine power. The pilot then maneuvered the airplane to land on runway 13 using a tight left traffic pattern.
Accident Details
During the landing, the left wing contacted the runway surface, and the airplane landed hard. The pilot lost control as the aircraft departed the runway and rolled inverted. Substantial damage was noted to the left wing, fuselage, horizontal stabilizer, and vertical stabilizer.
Postaccident Examination
Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that it was equipped with a Champion Slick impulse magneto powering the lower bank of aviation spark plugs and an electronic ignition system for the upper bank of automotive spark plugs. The No. 1 electronic ignition lead was found loose and detached from the ignition coil. Additionally, the ignition coil package mount bolt was loose, which would have permitted the assembly to vibrate during engine operation.
Findings
The investigation documented the engine anomalies but did not assign a probable cause to the accident.