# NTSB ATL89DEK02: Alexander RV-4, N443JA, Delaware, OH, March 11, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: March 11, 1989, 12:05 local (17:05 UTC)
- Place: Delaware, OH
- Coordinates: 40.289779, -83.079887 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2898&lon=-83.0799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 29, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7824
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89DEK02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7824/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89DEK02

## Probable cause

PILOT INADVERTENTLY LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL SPIN AND COLLISION WITH THE GROUND.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS OBSERVED TO BE ON BASE TO FINAL FOR LANDING ON RUNWAY 28 AT DELAWARE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT. HE WAS AT A NORMAL ALTITUDE AND SPEED WHEN THE AIRCRAFT SUDDENLY ROLLED TO A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 30 DEGREES. THIS ROLLING AND PITCHING DOWN CONTINUED UNTIL THE AIRCRAFT DISAPPEARED BEHIND A CLUMP OF TREES. SMOKE ROSE IMMEDIATELY FROM THE LOCATION OF THE IMPACT. THE TWO OCCUPANTS WERE FATALLY INJURED AND THE AIRCRAFT DESTROYED BY THE CRASH AND ENSUING FIRE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS A HOMEBUILT RV-4 WITH APPROXIMATELY 70 HOURS TOTAL TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N443JA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N443JA-2013-07-30), registration cancelled 2013-07-30, S/N 16 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ALEXANDER RV-4
- Registry model: [Alexander James K RV-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/alexander-james-k-rv-4) (registry code 056084J) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 16
- Airframe hours: 70
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James K. Alexander
- Registered owner: James K. Alexander
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, July 6, 1988, 70 hours before
- Airport: DLZ, Delaware Municipal, runway 28, 4,100 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 325 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CMH, 20 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19890311003589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890311003589A), Mar 11, 1989: Amtrvn VANSRV4, Delaware, OH, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Rolled over twice on final for runway, stalled and hit vertically. Unknown whether roll intentional or lost control

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.

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