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October 10, 1998 · W S Bowers Jr RV-4 · N741WB

Apopka, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 10, 1998
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Apopka, FL
Aircraft
W S Bowers Jr RV-4
Tail Number
N741WB
Operator
Robert Christopher Oleksa
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL99LA007

Witnesses located in the immediate vicinity of the accident site observed the airplane as it entered a loop type maneuver at a low altitude. As the airplane entered the bottom of the maneuver, proper airspeed was not maintained, the airplane became erratic, and collided with the ground in a nose low attitude. According to witnesses, the engine continued to operate throughout the maneuver. The fuel selector was found in the on position, and the fuel tanks appeared to be ruptured from impact. Examination of the airframe and engine failed to disclose a mechanial problem with the airplane. The toxicology examinations performed on the pilot were negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, ethanol, and drugs.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while performing aerobatics which resulted in the lost of control and a stall/spin. A contributing factor was the low altitude at which the maneuver was performed.

Full Narrative

On October 10, 1998, at 1711 eastern daylight time, an experimental homebuilt RV-4 airplane, N741WB, collided with the ground near Apopka, Florida, while performing an aerobatics maneuver. The personal flight was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. Examination of the airplane at the accident site revealed substantial airframe damage. The private pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The flight departed Bob White Field, in Zellwood, Florida, at 1515. Witnesses located in the immediate vicinity of the accident site observed the airplane as it entered a loop at a low altitude. As the airplane entered the bottom of the maneuver, the airplane became erratic, partially spun, and collided with the ground in a nose down attitude. According to witnesses, the engine continued to operate throughout the maneuver. Strong fuel fumes existed at the accident site following the impact. Examination of the accident site by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed the airplane fuselage, wing assembly, and empennage were attached to the airframe. Debris from the airplane was distributed evenly around the impact zone in a 360-degree pattern. The airplane was found in a flat attitude with the wing assembly leading edges bent upwards approximately 30 degrees. The fuselage was fractured on the left side aft of the main wing, all control cables were intact, the fuel selector was found in the on position, and the fuel tanks appeared to be ruptured from impact. Examination of the airframe and engine assembly failed to disclose a mechanical problem. The toxicological examinations performed on the pilot were negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, ethanol, or drugs.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:11 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftW S Bowers Jr RV-4
Tail NumberN741WB
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRobert Christopher Oleksa
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A1A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 21 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data