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NTSB Report
November 3, 1985 · Lewis-Pexton RV-4 · N489R
Sonoma, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 3, 1985
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Sonoma, CA
Aircraft
Lewis-Pexton RV-4
Tail Number
N489R
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX86FVD01
THE ACFT CRASHED INTO THE GROUND FROM ABOUT 250 FT AFTER A STALL FOLLOWING A DIVE & LEVEL OFF. TWO WITNESSES SAW THE ACC AND ONE BELIEVED THE PLT WAS LOOKING FOR HIM OR TRYING TO GET HIS ATTENTION BECAUSE THE PLT KNEW THE WITNESS' TRUCK AND WHERE HE WOULD BE. BOTH WITNESSES SAID THAT THE ACFT WENT 'STRAIGHT IN' TO THE GROUND. ONE ESTIMATED THE STARTING HEIGHT OF THE FATAL DIVE AT 250 FT, WITH THE WINGS ROCKING UP & DOWN. THE OTHER SAID IT APPEARED TO BE AT ABOUT 300-400 FT AGL COMING OUT OF A TURN WHEN IT THEN JUST WENT 'STRAIGHT IN'.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT CRASHED INTO THE GROUND FROM ABOUT 250 FT AFTER A STALL FOLLOWING A DIVE & LEVEL OFF. TWO WITNESSES SAW THE ACC AND ONE BELIEVED THE PLT WAS LOOKING FOR HIM OR TRYING TO GET HIS ATTENTION BECAUSE THE PLT KNEW THE WITNESS' TRUCK AND WHERE HE WOULD BE. BOTH WITNESSES SAID THAT THE ACFT WENT 'STRAIGHT IN' TO THE GROUND. ONE ESTIMATED THE STARTING HEIGHT OF THE FATAL DIVE AT 250 FT, WITH THE WINGS ROCKING UP & DOWN. THE OTHER SAID IT APPEARED TO BE AT ABOUT 300-400 FT AGL COMING OUT OF A TURN WHEN IT THEN JUST WENT 'STRAIGHT IN'.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftLewis-Pexton RV-4
Tail NumberN489R
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 30 · Unknown
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT