Harshbarger W/Reed RV-8 accident near Grants Pass, OR
On June 20, 2003, a Harshbarger W/Reed RV-8 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Grants Pass, OR. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- June 20, 2003
- Place
- Grants Pass, OR
- Aircraft
- Harshbarger W/Reed RV-8 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 42.500°N, 123.377°W
- NTSB ID
- 20030624X00947
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 20, 2003, approximately 1425 Pacific daylight time, a Harshbarger/Reed homebuilt Vans RV-8, N863Y, registered to and being flown by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during a collision with trees during a forced landing following a total loss of power in the landing pattern at the Grants Pass airport (3S8), Grants Pass, Oregon. The pilot was fatally injured during the forced landing and there was no fire. Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal, was operated under 14CFR91, and originated from 3S8 approximately five minutes earlier. The airport operations officer reported that the aircraft departed around 1420 and shortly thereafter radioed on the airport UNICOM frequency that he was "...having engine problems..." and was on downwind midfield for runway 30. The pilot reported the he was "...going to try to make it back to the field..." and a short time later reported that he was on base and couldn't make the field (refer to Witness Statement W-I). A flight instructor, who observed the aircraft from the airport, reported that he saw the aircraft on downwind for runway 30 after hearing of the radio broadcast of engine trouble. He stated that the aircraft was midfield and at pattern altitude in level flight and did not appear to be descending. The plane did not turn at the abeam position but continued southeast on the downwind for about one-half a mile and then turned on the base leg. He indicated that the aircraft was now descending rapidly and when nearing the extended cen
Probable cause
Corrosion and contamination within the fuel servo unit and the pilot's delayed turn back to the runway. Contributing factors were trees and the pilot's impairment due to prescription medication.
More accidents in OR
- Cessna T207A, Aug 21, 1986
- Piper PA-28-180, Sep 1, 1984
- Piper PA-28RT-201, Mar 12, 1984
- Piper PA 46-310P, Apr 7, 2017
- Cessna 172, Jun 23, 2012
Browse: Oregon
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
