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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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November 23, 1985 · Bill Mccarley RV-4 · N448RV

Gatesville, TX

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 23, 1985
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Gatesville, TX
Aircraft
Bill Mccarley RV-4
Tail Number
N448RV
Operator
James & Billy Mccarley
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW86FPA07

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AFTER PERFORMING AEROBATIC MANEUVERS. THE PIC SAID THAT THE PASS'G/PLT HAD FLOWN THE LAST PART OF THE FLT. FOLLOWING A MANEUVER AT APRX 500 FT AGL, THE ACFT WAS MANEUVERED INTO A CLIMBING LEFT TURN DURING WHICH IT CONTINUED TO ROLL UNTIL INVERTED. THE PASS'G/PLT, ACCORDING TO THE PIC, REDUCED POWER AND TRIED TO PULL THE ACFT NOSE THROUGH THE DIVE TO RECOVERY. DURING THE BOTTOM OF THE MANEUVER THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES. THE WINGS WERE SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT BY THE COLLISION WITH THE TREES AFTER WHICH THE ACFT NOSED DOWN INTO THE GROUND.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AFTER PERFORMING AEROBATIC MANEUVERS. THE PIC SAID THAT THE PASS'G/PLT HAD FLOWN THE LAST PART OF THE FLT. FOLLOWING A MANEUVER AT APRX 500 FT AGL, THE ACFT WAS MANEUVERED INTO A CLIMBING LEFT TURN DURING WHICH IT CONTINUED TO ROLL UNTIL INVERTED. THE PASS'G/PLT, ACCORDING TO THE PIC, REDUCED POWER AND TRIED TO PULL THE ACFT NOSE THROUGH THE DIVE TO RECOVERY. DURING THE BOTTOM OF THE MANEUVER THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES. THE WINGS WERE SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT BY THE COLLISION WITH THE TREES AFTER WHICH THE ACFT NOSED DOWN INTO THE GROUND.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:15 CST
Nearest AirportGatesville City - County (1nm NNE)
Runway36
Runway Length3400 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBill Mccarley RV-4
Tail NumberN448RV
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorJames & Billy Mccarley
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-320-EZA · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 33 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 10 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingOvercast 700 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 66 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time00:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data