# Accident 20111011022792A: Combs Dale B RV-4, Madera, CA, October 11, 2011

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 11, 2011, 11:00 local time
- Place: Madera, CA
- Damage: Destroyed
- Collision: Midair collision
- Phase of flight: Maneuver
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 36.9900° N, 119.9600° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9900&lon=-119.9600&mi=10
- Aircraft: N506DC, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N506DC) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Combs Dale B RV-4 (registry code 056026C, https://openairdocs.org/model/combs-dale-b-rv-4) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming I0360 series (registry code 41515, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: COMBS DALE B RV-4
- Reported engine: LYCOMING I0360 SER
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 5,000 total, 600 in this make and model, 35 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR12CA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA005) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111011022792A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

WHILE PRACTICING FLYING IN FORMATION, A PITCH UP AND BANK MANEUVER RESULTED IN THE PILOT OF 506DC LOSING SIGHT OF 427EF.   A COLLISION THEN OCCURRED WHEN 506DC (PILOTED BY ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^) STRUCK 427EF (PILOTED BY ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^, SEE RELATED REPORT) FROM BEHIND AND BENEATH.  THE LEFT WING AND AILERON OF 506DC WAS DAMAGED ALONG WITH THE CANOPY AND FUSELAGE.  506DC THEN ENTERED A STEEP SPIRAL DIVE AND WOULD NOT RESPOND TO AILERON INPUT.  THE PILOT RETARDED THE THROTTLE AND INCREASED PITCH WHICH SLOWED THE SPIRAL TO A CONTINUOUS RIGHT TURN.  HE WAS ABLE TO LAND THE PLANE WITH ELEVATOR AND RUDDER ONLY IN A FIELD WITH NO INJURY.  427EF WAS ABLE TO RETURN SAFELY TO SIERRA SKY PARK (E79) WITH SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE PROPELLER AND RIGHT WING TIP AND NO INJURY TO THE SOLE PILOT.  THE PILOT OF 506DC STATED THAT HE SHOULD HAVE TAKEN EVASIVE ACTION WHEN HE LOST SITE OF 427EF RATHER THAN CONTINUE LOOKING.  THE FAT FSDO FAA SAFETY TEAM REP. PLANS ON CONDUCTING A SAFETY SEMINAR WITH THE FORMATION FLYING AVIATORS BASED AT E79.

## Other aircraft in the event

- N427EF, Freitag Ernst VANS RV-8: [Accident 20111011022802A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111011022802A)

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB WPR12CA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA005), Oct 11, 2011: Combs Dale B RV-4 (N506DC), Madera, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The third airplane pilot’s failure to maintain visual contact with the second airplane during the formation flight.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft 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. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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