NTSB Factual Report

On February 21, 2007, at approximately 1415 Pacific standard time, a Barnhart RV-6 experimental homebuilt airplane, N601DB, was substantially damaged during a forced landing attempt following a loss of engine power at Auburn Municipal Airport (S50), Auburn, Washington. The airline transport pilot, the sole occupant on board, received minor injuries. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight which was originating at the time of the accident. A flight plan had not been filed.

The pilot said that he had just departed from runway 16 when the airplane's engine lost power. He said that at that moment there was a motel and casino in front of him, so he performed a 90 degree left-hand turn. The pilot landed the airplane parallel to and inside the airport perimeter fence with the right wing sliding along the fence. The airplane landed hard on both main landing gear, and they immediately collapsed. Additionally the engine mounts were broken, the engine firewall was wrinkled, both wings exhibited buckling and wrinkling, and the fuselage was wrinkled.

Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that a large piece of neoprene was lodged in the engine's air intake. The pilot said that he and the mechanic fabricated a neoprene seal for the engine's air intake during the conditional inspection, which was completed on February 12, 2007. The pilot said he departed Boeing Field, Seattle, Washington, and flew to Auburn, Washington, for a touch-and-go landing. The airplane had flown 0.2 hours, out of conditional inspection, at the time of the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of engine power due to the obstruction of the engine's air inlet by a fabricated neoprene seal, and inadequate maintenance by unknown maintenance personnel. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.