NTSB Factual Report

On June 9, 2003, at 1730 central daylight time, an amateur built RV6-A, N160BM, piloted by an airline transport pilot, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over following a forced landing due to loss of engine power, three miles northwest of Tea, South Dakota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot was uninjured. The flight was departing at the time of the accident.

The pilot reported having departed to the north-northeast for a local flight in the traffic pattern. The pilot indicated he lost engine power about 50 feet above the ground while on takeoff climb. The pilot stated he "checked flaps were up, [and] the throttle and mixture were full in." He reported he landed on the main landing gear first, followed by the nose landing gear. The pilot further noted the aircraft flipped over and came to a stop. The pilot indicated he was buckled into his seat and was hanging upside down after impact. The pilot reported a witness to the accident aided him in exiting the aircraft.

An inspection of the airplane revealed no pre-existing anomalies of the airplane's fuel and ignition systems. Engine continuity was confirmed and all cylinders exhibited compression. The propeller did not exhibit leading edge damage or chordwise scratching. There were no indications of propeller slashes or propeller strikes found at the accident site.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the unsuitable terrain for landing encountered. Contributing factors to this accident were the crop and the collapse of the nose landing gear strut.