RV10 - aircraft down - Final Report - N4400K

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A2022
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RV10 - aircraft down - Final Report - N4400K

Post by A2022 »

well, it's sad that a spark plug boot becoming loose and creating smoke in the cockpit resulted in significant damage to the aircraft. the pilot made the decision to put it down safely with only one minor injury and two uninjured. you can't argue with the outcome. the question is: why the spark plug boots aren't secured? they are essential components.

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/ ... 105561/pdf

The pilot of the airplane stated that after departure he heard a “very loud pop” from the engine and then saw smoke enter the cockpit. After the smoke cleared, he decided to perform an off airport landing even though the engine continued to operate. He stated that he did not check the engine gauges to evaluate any anomalies. The pilot reported that the engine was operating after he heard the “loud pop” noise. During the approach to the field, the pilot added engine power to avoid hitting power lines. The airplane impacted a soccer goal, a streetlight, and a portable toilet, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing.

Postaccident examination of the engine found the spark plug wire boot for the No. 6 cylinder was not connected to the spark plug and was found resting on the exhaust pipe. The rubber boot likely sustained thermal damage when it contacted the exhaust pipe; there were no other mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

A review of the maintenance records showed that 79.7 hours had accumulated on the engine since the last inspection, which was a condition inspection. It possible that the spark plug wire boot was not secured during the last maintenance work performed. Based on the available records, investigators were not able to determine why the spark plug wire boot was unsecured.


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Steve Melton
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rockwoodrv9a
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Re: RV10 - aircraft down - Final Report - N4400K

Post by rockwoodrv9a »

If it had a pmag or other system that used auto plugs, maybe they dont have the screw on plug wires? I cant imaging flying without secure wires. I hope I am wrong about the pmags. I may consider them when my 500 hour mag rebuild comes up.

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Re: RV10 - aircraft down - Final Report - N4400K

Post by A2022 »

such a sad outcome for a really nice airplane. you cannot argue with the pilot's decision to put it down. everyone was safe and walked away.

he just didn't know about the spark plug boots. someone probably told him they were safe.

Van's marketing guy lurking in the background, could be a bad omen...

Vans RV-10 walk around with proud owner.
https://youtu.be/6owQLD5JPTU?si=3NFK0gpyjQWAptWK

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Steve Melton
N531EM, RV9A, Superior O-320, WW 200RV prop, Slick mags, CHT 330F, EGT 1300F, B&C, 1200+ hours
Freedom and Democracy are all that really matter.
Ride a bike, unlock the world.
https://www.rvplasticparts.com/
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Re: RV10 - aircraft down - Final Report - N4400K

Post by A2022 »

what about some type of spark plug boot retainer. it seems among powersports products, boots popping off is a real problem. I don't know if these actually work, just food for thought.

https://www.gooze.com/5268/3340-msd-per ... r-set-of-2


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Last edited by A2022 on Fri Feb 09, 2024 10:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Steve Melton
N531EM, RV9A, Superior O-320, WW 200RV prop, Slick mags, CHT 330F, EGT 1300F, B&C, 1200+ hours
Freedom and Democracy are all that really matter.
Ride a bike, unlock the world.
https://www.rvplasticparts.com/
https://www.gpsdock1.com/

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Re: RV10 - aircraft down - Final Report - N4400K

Post by A2022 »

here is someone who is printing boot retainers. I trust he is using high temp material.

if I were to make these, it would be a half shell or full clamshell design with a high temp zip tie. perhaps those are the red ones in the above photo.

https://showtimefreestyle.com/products/ ... 47c6d56d2c


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Last edited by A2022 on Fri Feb 09, 2024 10:33 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Steve Melton
N531EM, RV9A, Superior O-320, WW 200RV prop, Slick mags, CHT 330F, EGT 1300F, B&C, 1200+ hours
Freedom and Democracy are all that really matter.
Ride a bike, unlock the world.
https://www.rvplasticparts.com/
https://www.gpsdock1.com/

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Re: RV10 - aircraft down - Final Report - N4400K

Post by A2022 »

another one... hey, even go karts have spark plug boot retainers.

https://www.bmikarts.com/Spark-Plug-Boo ... skfdOAOUOs


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Steve Melton
N531EM, RV9A, Superior O-320, WW 200RV prop, Slick mags, CHT 330F, EGT 1300F, B&C, 1200+ hours
Freedom and Democracy are all that really matter.
Ride a bike, unlock the world.
https://www.rvplasticparts.com/
https://www.gpsdock1.com/

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Re: RV10 - aircraft down - Final Report - N4400K

Post by A2022 »

yep, these use a zip tie. at least it is something.

vulcanizing tape over the wire to the boot. like a jet ski.

for me, I perfect an aero standard, threaded connection. :)


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Steve Melton
N531EM, RV9A, Superior O-320, WW 200RV prop, Slick mags, CHT 330F, EGT 1300F, B&C, 1200+ hours
Freedom and Democracy are all that really matter.
Ride a bike, unlock the world.
https://www.rvplasticparts.com/
https://www.gpsdock1.com/

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