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NTSB Report

May 7, 1994 · Robl RV4 · N88LG

Elbert, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 7, 1994
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Elbert, CO
Aircraft
Robl RV4
Tail Number
N88LG
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW94FA149

THE PILOT RADIOED HE WAS GOING TO MAKE A LOW NORTH-SOUTH PASS OVER THE GLIDERPORT. WITNESSES SAID THE AIRPLANE FLEW 20 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, PULLED UP TO 800 FEET, DID A WINGOVER, AND ENTERED A SPIN. ONE WITNESS SAW THE AIRPLANE STOP SPINNING JUST BEFORE IMPACT. SHE SAID THE NOSE PITCHED UP ABRUPTLY, THE AIRPLANE ENTERED AN ACCELERATED STALL, AND DISAPPEARED FROM VIEW IN A FLAT ATTITUDE. THE PILOT'S LOGBOOK REVEALED 2.1 HOURS OF AEROBATIC INSTRUCTION AND 7.1 HOURS SOLO AEROBATICS IN VARIOUS AIRPLANES IN 1992. IN 1993 AND 1994, THE PILOT LOGGED 9.1 HOURS OF SOLO AEROBATICS IN THE RV4, INCLUDING LOOPS, ROLLS, INVERTED FLIGHT, WINGOVERS, AND SPINS.

NTSB Probable Cause

AN INADVERTENT STALL SPIN. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S PERFORMANCE OF AEROBATIC MANEUVERS AT AN INADEQUATE ALTITUDE.

Full Narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On May 7, 1994, approximately 1614 mountain daylight time, N88LG, a Robl RV4, was destroyed when it impacted terrain while maneuvering 5 miles west of Elbert, Colorado. The private pilot and a passenger were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. According to the Kelly Airpark manager, the pilot called on the radio and said he was going to make a low pass from south to north. The manager and several pilot-witnesses watched the airplane pass over the field about 20 feet above the ground. Although their observations varied slightly, most agreed the pilot pulled up to 800 feet, did a wing-over, and entered a spin. One pilot-witness said she saw the airplane stop spinning just before the impact. She said the nose pitched up abruptly, the airplane entered an accelerated stall, and disappeared from view in a flat attitude. CREW INFORMATION A review of the pilot's logbook disclosed he had taken a total of 2.1 hours aerobatic instruction in a Beech T-34, Citabria 7KCAB, and Grumman AA-1C in 1992. He had also logged 7.1 hours of solo aerobatic flight. Between 1993 and 1994, the pilot logged 9.1 hours solo aerobatic flight in the Robl RV4. The aerobatics consisted of loops, rolls, inverted flight, wingovers, and spins. Pertinent logbook entries are attached as exhibits to this report. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The airplane came to rest in the middle of Ben Kelly Road, less than one mile north of the gliderport, on a magnetic heading of 165 degrees. There was a 3-foot interruption in the ground on the north shoulder of the road on a magnetic heading of 180 degrees. Seven feet beyond was the 23-foot wide dirt road. Another 7-foot ground interruption extended to the tail of the airplane (see Wreckage Distribution chart). Both horizontal stabilizers were bent down. There were four interruptions in the fuselage: at the engine firewall, at the front pilot's seat, at the rear pilot's seat, and at the vertical stabilizer. All of the interruptions were in a downward fashion. The fuselage was slightly twisted to the left (see photos.) Measurements indicate the flaps were extended approximately 10 to 15 degrees. The shattered descending wooden propeller blade was separated from the hub. The ascending blade remained attached. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION An autopsy (#94A-128) and toxicology screen were performed by the El Paso County Coroner's Office in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The only substances detected were caffeine and a 5% saturation of carbon monoxide. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The wreckage was released to the owner's representative on May 9, 1994.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:14 MDT
Nearest AirportKelly Airpark (1nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobl RV4
Tail NumberN88LG
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 43 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 18 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 46
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data