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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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May 9, 1993 · Rapp VAN'S RV-4 · N743DR

Greenwood, SC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 9, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Greenwood, SC
Aircraft
Rapp VAN'S RV-4
Tail Number
N743DR
Operator
Rapp Russell D
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL93LA090

ABOUT FIVE MINUTES INTO THE FLIGHT, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, BUT REGAINED POWER FOR 5 SECONDS BEFORE THE ENGINE QUIT AGAIN. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING TO A FIVE LANE HIGHWAY, BUT COLLIDED WITH TWO ONCOMING TRUCKS ABOUT FIVE FEET ABOVE THE GROUND PRIOR, TO TOUCHDOWN. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT FAILED TO DISCLOSE A MECHANICAL PROBLEM. ACCORDING TO THE ICING PROBABILITY CURVES, WEATHER CONDITIONS EXISTED WHICH WERE FAVORABLE FOR THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A CARBURETOR HEAT SOURCE

NTSB Probable Cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHICH RESULTED FROM THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE. THE LACK OF A CARBURETOR HEAT SOURCE AND THE CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS WERE FACTORS

Full Narrative

On May 9, 1993, at 1820 eastern daylight time, a Rapp Van's Aircraft, Inc RV4, N743DR, collided with two pick up trucks while attempting a forced landing on a public road near Greenwood, South Carolina. The personal flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed for the local flight. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was destroyed, and the pilot and passenger in the experimental airplane were not injured. The flight departed Greenwood at 1800 hours. According to the pilot, about 20 minutes into the flight, he experienced a sudden loss of engine power. He restarted the engine and it ran for a few seconds before quitting again. The pilot maneuvered the airplane into a landing position facing oncoming road traffic; the airplane collided with the trucks after touching down on the roadway.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:20 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRapp VAN'S RV-4
Tail NumberN743DR
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRapp Russell D
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 49 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time22:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data