# NTSB ATL93LA090: Rapp VAN'S RV-4, N743DR, Greenwood, SC, May 9, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 9, 1993, 18:20 local (22:20 UTC)
- Place: Greenwood, SC
- Coordinates: 34.239002, -82.150032 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2390&lon=-82.1500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3208
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93LA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3208/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA090

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHICH RESULTED FROM THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE. THE LACK OF A CARBURETOR HEAT SOURCE AND THE CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS WERE FACTORS

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
  - carburetor heat control - not installed (contributing factor)
  - acft/equip,inadequate design, production/design personnel (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - vehicle

## Analysis

ABOUT FIVE MINUTES INTO THE FLIGHT, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, BUT REGAINED POWER FOR 5 SECONDS BEFORE THE ENGINE  QUIT AGAIN. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING TO A FIVE LANE HIGHWAY, BUT COLLIDED WITH TWO ONCOMING TRUCKS ABOUT FIVE FEET ABOVE THE GROUND PRIOR, TO TOUCHDOWN.  EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT FAILED TO DISCLOSE A MECHANICAL PROBLEM. ACCORDING TO THE ICING PROBABILITY CURVES, WEATHER CONDITIONS EXISTED WHICH WERE FAVORABLE FOR THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A CARBURETOR HEAT SOURCE

## Factual narrative

On May 9, 1993, at 1820 eastern daylight time, a Rapp Van's Aircraft, Inc  RV4, N743DR, collided with two pick up trucks while attempting a forced landing on a public road near Greenwood, South Carolina. The personal flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed for the local flight. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was destroyed, and the pilot and passenger in the experimental airplane were not injured. The flight departed Greenwood at 1800 hours.

According to the pilot, about 20 minutes into the flight, he experienced a sudden loss of engine power. He restarted the engine and it ran for a few seconds before quitting again. The pilot maneuvered the airplane into a landing position facing oncoming road traffic; the airplane collided with the trucks after touching down on the roadway.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N743DR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N743DR-1997-01-03), registration cancelled 1997-01-03, S/N 1490 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RAPP VAN'S RV-4
- Registry model: [Rapp Russell Darrell VANS RV-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/rapp-russell-darrell-vans-rv-4) (registry code 05608GN) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1490
- Airframe hours: 179
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Rapp, Russell D.
- Registered owner: Rapp, Russell D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 20, 1993, 6 hours before
- Departed: GRD
- Destination: GRD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 548 total, 179 in this make and model, 465 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GSP, 30 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 19930509012569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930509012569A), May 9, 1993: Amtrvn VANSRV4, Greenwood, SC, Destroyed. Lost power en route. Collided with vehicles landing on highway. Carb icing prevalent. Not carburetor heat equipped.

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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