I am posting this from the "other" list as I feel it is important to share
this kind of information with all.  First inflight engine failure of a
rotary engine I am aware of.  Sounds like apex seal went or foreign object
was injested.  Fortunately, Chuck make some good decisions and although some
damage to aircraft, at least he is uninjured.

> Chuck wrote:
>
> Well I did not make it to Arlington. I was over the Grand Canyon at 12000
ft when the engine suddenly started shaking and RPM
> dropped to 3900. Turn on the aux fuel pump, tried backup engine
controller, tried disabling trailing then leading ignition,
> everything looked normal but RPM. GPS reported nearest airport was Marble
Canyon 21 miles away. Set up best glide, headed for
> Marble Canyon, looked at EGT and rotor #1 (rear rotor in RV6, front rotor
in car) was showing <400F. 12 minutes later, Marble
> Canyon was 1 1/2 miles out but could not reach it so I set up approach on
Highway 89A. It was looking good until a truck pulling
> a travel trailer appeared from around a curve, heading right for my
intended touchdown spot. He made no attemp to pull over, so
> I had to stay above him. After he passed, I tried to set it down but did
not have enough speed to flare so it dropped in pretty
> hard. Got it slowed down and off the road, luckily there was a nice wide
spot waiting for me. I got out and surveyed the
> situation, the port wing had struck a highway marker post just inboard of
the wingtip and ripped a 2 foot gash in the lower wing
> surface. The main and tail spring gear were all slightly bent from the
impact.
> Later after the engine and I had cooled off, I pulled the plugs one rotor
at a time, and sure enough there is no compression on
> rotor #1.
> My friend flew up and picked me up, we flew home, loaded up tools and
trailer and made the 8 hour drive up there, removed the
> wings loaded it up and headed back to Safford.
>  It has been an interesting couple of days. It will take a bit longer than
that to repair the damage.
> I will report on the engine when I get it apart.
>
> Chuck Dunlap
>


Ed Anderson
RV-6A N494BW Rotary Powered
Matthews, NC
eanderson@carolina.rr.com