N48PSPeter M Spradling VANS RV-6A · 2017

On April 8, 2023, about 1830 central standard time, an amateur-built Vans RV-6A airplane, N48PS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Goldsby, Oklahoma. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.

The local flight departed runway 13 at the David Jay Perry Airport, Goldsby, Oklahoma. The pilot stated that, about 8-10 seconds after he rotated the airplane, the engine made loud popping/banging sounds and he experienced a reduction in engine power. He maneuvered the airplane to land on runway 13 in a “tight” left traffic pattern. During the landing, the left wing contacted the runway and the airplane landed hard. The pilot lost control of the airplane as it departed the runway and rolled inverted. Substantial damage was sustained to the left wing, fuselage, and to the horizontal and vertical stabilizers.

Postaccident examination of the engine found that it was equipped with a Champion Slick impulse magneto that sparked the lower bank of aviation spark plugs and an electronic ignition system that sparked the upper bank of automotive spark plugs. The No. 1 electronic ignition lead was loose and detached from the ignition coil. Additionally, the ignition coil package mount bolt was loose, which would have allowed the grouping to vibrate during engine operation.