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NTSB Report

September 19, 2020 · Vans RV4 · N250LB

Clovis, NM

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 19, 2020
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Clovis, NM
Aircraft
Vans RV4 (1998)
Tail Number
N250LB
Operator
Bishop Ag Air
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR20LA310

The pilot was departing from an airport when the accident occurred. During the initial climb, he became momentarily distracted when his mobile phone rang. He looked down at the phone, which was on the floor, and within 2 seconds, the airplane had rolled inverted. At this time, the pilot looked outside the cockpit and became aware of the inflight upset. He immediately recovered the airplane into an upright attitude, but the airplane impacted the ground, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical anomalies or malfunctions that could have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control during initial climb due to distraction, which resulted in an in-flight upset and impact with terrain.

Full Narrative

On September 19, 2020, at 0945 mountain daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Vans RV-4 airplane, N250LB, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Clovis, New Mexico. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot, who was interviewed about a month after the accident due to his injuries, reported that he planned a normal departure from an airport he frequently departed from when the accident occurred. Shortly after takeoff and during the initial climb phase of the flight, he received a phone call on his mobile phone, which was on the floor by his feet. He was momentary distracted as he looked down to read the caller’s name on the phone. About 2 seconds later, he looked outside the cockpit and discovered that the airplane was inverted. The pilot immediately rolled the airplane into an upright, level attitude just before the wheels impacted the ground. He was unable to recall any further events. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions that could have precluded normal operation. According to a witness, the airplane began a ground roll to the south into the wind. The airplane lifted off the ground about midfield and immediately transitioned into a climb. As it reached about 100 ft above ground level, the airplane rolled to the right until it was inverted and then disappeared from the witness’ view. The witness reported that the engine sounded smooth and continuous during the accident flight. The airplane came to rest inverted about 800 ft beyond the end of the departure runway. Photographs furnished by the witness showed substantial damage to the fuselage and wings.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:30 MDT
Nearest AirportAero Tech Inc. Airport (0nm S)
Runway18
Runway Length2640 ft
Runway Width148 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftVans RV4
Tail NumberN250LB
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBishop Ag Air
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming Engines · IO-540-EXP · Reciprocating · 265
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 56 · Second Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 11 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 48 F
Altimeter30.31 inHg
Observation Time15:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data