Vans Safety Record

The pilot’s failure to attain a proper touchdown point following an unidentified electrical system failure and subsequent partial loss of engine power, which resulted in a runway overrun and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to operate the airplane in an unairworthy condition.

A total loss of engine power due to foreign object debris blockage of engine air intake. The source of the debris could not be determined based on the available information.

The pilot’s improper recovery from a bounced landing, resulting in a touchdown on the nose gear first, resulting in damage to the nose gear and a runway excursion.

The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while compensating for a downdraft during landing, which resulted in the airplane touching down short of the runway on soft terrain and nosing over.

The pilot’s failure to apply adequate torque on the fuel pressure line aluminum adaptor fitting, which resulted in the loosening of the adapter, a loss of fuel flow, and a total loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s choice of a soft aluminum automotive fitting, and the design, which required hand-tightening with a shortened, modified wrench that prevented a measured torque application.

The pilot and owner’s failure to adequately communicate and establish an understanding of who was flying the airplane, and their failure to take timely action to avoid a collision with terrain.

The total loss of engine power due to the separation of the idler gear shaft bolts as a result of improper installation, which allowed for the idler gear to become disengaged.

The disconnection of the propeller governor control arm from the propeller governor due to a missing attachment bolt, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power during takeoff when the governor control vibrated to a high pitch, low rpm setting.