RV4 pilot experienced GPS failure enroute to smx. On the return flight southeast bound in severe tur...

Attributes
ACN	946672
Time
Date	201104
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	SMX.Airport
State Reference	CA
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	RV-4
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Cruise
Route In Use	None
Flight Plan	None
Component
Aircraft Component	GPS & Other Satellite Navigation
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Commercial Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Sea Flight Crew Multiengine
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 6 Flight Crew Total 1850 Flight Crew Type 480
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Airspace Violation All Types Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence

Narrative:

While enroute to smx (severe turbulence); I lost my GPS and got to smx on pilotage. After picking up my passenger and upon takeoff; the aircraft lost the electric fuel pump. I circled smx at 2;000 ft; with tower asking if I had a problem. I said maybe; but will check it out for a few minutes. Fuel pressure appeared to stabilize at 1 psi; so I elected to head south to lpc (no GPS or other navgear). I handed the sectional back to my passenger (a pilot) to find sba approach frequency. Upon gaining sba approach and squawking their assigned transponder code; approach informed me that I had drifted into R-2534 and to call an FAA phone number upon arrival; which I did. My intent was to reach the coast as soon as possible thinking that it might smooth out over the ocean. Not the case and slowed down to 100 KTS indicated trying to soften the blows. The G meter was indicating +3.5 and -2.5 and I had all I could do to keep from being flipped upside down. My aerobatic training came in handy in maintaining some semblance of direction down the coast. Did I incur R-2534? Sure looks like it? What could I have done differently? Pay more attention to the restricted area and turn to a 150 heading after leaving lpc.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: RV4 pilot experienced GPS failure enroute to SMX. On the return flight southeast bound in severe turbulence R-2534 was penetrated and pointed out by ATC.

Narrative: While enroute to SMX (severe turbulence); I lost my GPS and got to SMX on pilotage. After picking up my passenger and upon takeoff; the aircraft lost the electric fuel pump. I circled SMX at 2;000 FT; with Tower asking if I had a problem. I said maybe; but will check it out for a few minutes. Fuel pressure appeared to stabilize at 1 PSI; so I elected to head south to LPC (no GPS or other Navgear). I handed the Sectional back to my passenger (a pilot) to find SBA Approach frequency. Upon gaining SBA Approach and squawking their assigned transponder code; Approach informed me that I had drifted into R-2534 and to call an FAA phone number upon arrival; which I did. My intent was to reach the coast ASAP thinking that it might smooth out over the ocean. Not the case and slowed down to 100 KTS indicated trying to soften the blows. The G Meter was indicating +3.5 and -2.5 and I had all I could do to keep from being flipped upside down. My aerobatic training came in handy in maintaining some semblance of direction down the coast. Did I incur R-2534? Sure looks like it? What could I have done differently? Pay more attention to the restricted area and turn to a 150 heading after leaving LPC.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

RV4 pilot experienced GPS failure enroute to smx. On the return flight southeast bound in severe turbulence R-2534 was penetrated and pointed out by ATC.