Probable cause
Failure of the rocker swivel assembly due to either wear or corrosion, which resulted in a loss of engine power.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported the engine began running rough during cruise flight, and the airplane could not maintain altitude. The pilot initiated a forced landing to an airstrip and during the descent realized that he was not going to make the airstrip, so he elected to landed on the desert terrain. The airplane impacted rocks and a barbed wire fence which caused the airplane to nose over, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings, stabilizers, and ruddervators.
Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the No. 4 exhaust rocker assembly swivel housing separated from the screw body, likely due to wear of the swivel and the swivel pad housing. This wear likely occurred because of either incorrect spacing between the pad and valve, or corrosion.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR22LA035 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Nov 15, 2021
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Laveen Village, Arizona
- Nearest airport
- Hangar Haciendas (AZ90)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built WAIEX B
- N-number
- N535D
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2018
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.