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April 20, 2013 · Hoffman RV-4 · N194BD

Bullhead City, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 20, 2013
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Bullhead City, AZ
Aircraft
Hoffman RV-4
Tail Number
N194BD
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR13LA203

The wreckage was located on airport property in the early morning hours having crashed under unknown circumstances. There were no witnesses to the accident. The medical examiner determined that the pilot died as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound and the manner of death was determined to be suicide.

NTSB Probable Cause

Personnel issues-Miscellaneous-Intentional act-Suicide-Pilot - C

Full Narrative

On April 20, 2013, between 0600 and 0720 mountain standard time, an experimental amateur built Hoffman RV-4, N194BD, crashed at Bullhead City Airport (IFP), Bullhead City, Arizona. The owner/pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The commercial pilot sustained fatal injuries as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound; the airplane sustained substantial damage by impact forces. The cross-country personal flight departed Cottonwood, Arizona, sometime after 0600 with an unknown destination. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed Airport personnel from IFP reported that during an airport safety sweep about 0720, they found the crashed airplane between the runway and the taxiway. They reported it was not present during the previous sweep at 0430. There were no identified witnesses to the airplane impact. A witness at Cottonwood Airport (P52), Cottonwood, reported that he heard what he believed to be N194BD depart sometime after 0600. He further stated the airplane was observed at the airport on Friday night. On April 22, 2013, the Mohave County medical examiner performed an autopsy on the pilot. It was determined that the pilot died as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The manner of death was determined to be suicide.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:20 MST
Nearest AirportBullhead City Airport (0nm)
Runway34
Runway Length7500 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHoffman RV-4
Tail NumberN194BD
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A1A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 44 · Second Class · Fatal

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59 / 12 C
Altimeter29.97 inHg
Observation Time13:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data