20041031028859A

Accident · Destroyed

FAA accident report · Amtr RV4 · Eagle, CO · October 31, 2004

Date: October 31, 2004 · 15:50 local
Place: Eagle, CO
Phase of flight: Fcd/Prec Ldg From Cruise
Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
Damage: Destroyed
Aircraft: N25HM
NTSB investigation: NTSBDEN05LA017
Reported as: Amtr RV4
Reported engine: Lycoming O320*
Fatal injuries: 0
Pilot’s flight hours: 1,300 total200 in this make and model50 in the last 90 days

N25HMRegistration cancelled Jun 27, 2013 · Miller Homer RV4S/N 1809 · Built 1997 Airframe modelMiller Homer RV4 Engine modelLycoming 0-320 seriesReciprocating

From the FAA’s Accident/Incident Data System (AIDS), through its Aviation Safety Information Portal, as reported. The NTSB investigates accidents separately, and its record of an accident is the fuller one. The aircraft is matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

What happened

The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.

(-23) According to the pilot in command, he was VFR on top when he began to have engine problems. He declared an emergency with denver center and descended into the clouds. He estimated he broke out at 1500 to 2000 feet AGL with a visibility of 1 mile. The aircraft struck trees, inverted and burned. Both occupants suffered serious injuries and the aircraft was destroyed. The pilot stated the carburetor heat was on but he was not convinced it worked properly.

As the FAA filed it

(-23) ACCORDING TO THE PILOT IN COMMAND, HE WAS VFR ON TOP WHEN HE BEGAN TO HAVE ENGINE PROBLEMS. HE DECLARED AN EMERGENCY WITH DENVER CENTER AND DESCENDED INTO THE CLOUDS. HE ESTIMATED HE BROKE OUT AT 1500 TO 2000 FEET AGL WITH A VISIBILITY OF 1 MILE. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK TREES, INVERTED AND BURNED. BOTH OCCUPANTS SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED. THE PILOT STATED THE CARBURETOR HEAT WAS ON BUT HE WAS NOT CONVINCED IT WORKED PROPERLY.

NTSB investigation

The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.

NTSB DEN05LA017Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportDotsero, COthe pilot's improper in-flight planning and decision making and the loss of engine power due to carburetor ice. Contributing factors include the weather conditions conducive for carburetor icing and the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.Oct 31, 2004 · Destroyed