# NTSB ATL90DMG02: Hardy RV-4, N891LH, Kitty Hawk, NC, April 23, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 23, 1990, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Kitty Hawk, NC
- Coordinates: 36.069698, -75.709114 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0697&lon=-75.7091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8096
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90DMG02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8096/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90DMG02

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THIS WAS THE PILOT'S FIRST LANDING AT THIS AIRPORT. HE HAD JUST COMPLETED A CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT AND THE WIND WAS GUSTING TO 20 KNOTS. AS HE WAS LANDING ON RUNWAY 20, THE WIND PICKED UP A WING, CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO LEAVE THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE RIGHT WING DUG INTO THE SAND, THE AIRCRAFT TURNED 180 DEGREES, THE NOSE PITCHED DOWN AND THE PROPELLER STRUCK THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N891LH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N891LH-1990-10-09), registration cancelled 1990-10-09, S/N 92 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HARDY RV-4
- Registry model: [Hardy Leslie Eugene RV-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/hardy-leslie-eugene-rv-4) (registry code 056088S) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 92
- Airframe hours: 29
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Leslie E. Hardy
- Registered owner: Leslie E Hardy
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 10, 1989, 29 hours before
- Departed: DURHAM, NC
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: FFA, First Flight, runway 20, 3,000 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 227 total, 29 in this make and model, 227 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 275° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19900423010389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900423010389A), Apr 23, 1990: Amtrvn VANSRV4, Kill Devil Hill, NC, Substantial damage. Crosswind caused aircraft to veer toward trees on landing,tried to miss trees by banking,dragged wing cartwheeled.

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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