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WPR20LA225

2020-07-17 · Grimes, California, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport N/A

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because the airplane was not examined.

Factual narrative

On July 17, 2020, about 1345 Pacific daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built RV-8 airplane, N508CM, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Grimes, California. The private pilot and pilot-rated passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot stated that he landed the airplane at a friend’s private airstrip and taxied back to take off again. During the takeoff roll, the engine lost power and he aborted the takeoff. Later that day, the engine was examined by a mechanic, who was unable to find any anomalies. After the mechanic cleared the airplane for flight, the pilot taxied to the runway, performed two run-up checks, and then proceeded to take off. About 50 to 70 ft above ground level, the engine again lost partial power. The pilot performed a forced landing in a corn field, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The airplane wreckage was sold before an examination could be scheduled; therefore, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. The pilot stated that he landed the airplane at a friend’s private airstrip and taxied back to take off again. During the takeoff roll, the engine lost power and he aborted the takeoff. Later that day, the engine was examined by a mechanic, who was unable to find any anomalies. After the mechanic cleared the airplane for flight, the pilot taxied to the runway, performed two run-up checks, then proceeded to take off. About 50 to 70 ft above ground level, the engine again lost partial power. The pilot performed a forced landing in a corn field, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The airplane wreckage was sold before an examination could be scheduled; therefore, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • — Aircraft-Aircraft power plant-Engine (reciprocating)-(general)-Unknown/Not determined
  • — Not determined-Not determined-(general)-(general)-Unknown/Not determined

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2020_WPR20LA225.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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