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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
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