# NTSB ATL93LA156: Brown VAN'S RV-3, N115DB, Statesville, NC, September 11, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1993, 18:20 local (22:20 UTC)
- Place: Statesville, NC
- Coordinates: 35.780033, -80.879035 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7800&lon=-80.8790&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 17, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3261
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93LA156
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3261/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA156

## Probable cause

WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO SEE AND AVOID UTILITY LINES. A FACTOR WAS THE SUNGLARE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A LOW PASS MANEUVER OVER THE PRIVATE AIRSTRIP AND COLLIDED WITH NEARBY, UTILITY LINES ABOUT 40 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES THE AIRPLANE WAS FLYING AT SPEEDS MORE THAN 200 MPH AND THERE WAS NO ATTEMPT TO AVOID THE COLLISION; THE SOUTHERLY FLIGHT PATH PLACED THE SUN INTO THE PILOT EYES. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRPLANE, NOR WERE AIRCRAFT PROBLEMS NOTICED OR HEARD BY THE GROUND OBSERVERS.

## Factual narrative

On September 11, 1993, at 1820 eastern daylight time, a Brown Van's RV-3, N115DB, collided with utility lines during a low pass over a private airstrip near Statesville, North Carolina. The personal flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot received debilitating serious head injuries (see attached statement of pilot's medical condition). The flight's exact departure time from Statesville was not determined.

According to the airstrip owner, N115DB circled the airport several times and conducted a low fly-by about 40 feet above the ground. Several witnesses observed the airplane as it flew overhead in a southerly direction. The pilot continued the level attitude until the airplane collided with the second strand of wire from the top; there was no attempt to avoid the collision.

The wreckage examination failed to discover any mechanical problems; nor did the witnesses report hearing or observing  engine or flight control difficulty with the airplane. The pilot has not recovered sufficiently from head injuries to render his account of the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N115DB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N115DB-1995-03-29), registration cancelled 1995-03-29, S/N 11049 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BROWN VAN'S RV-3
- Registry model: [Brown David S SR VANS-BROWN RV-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/brown-david-s-sr-vans-brown-rv-3) (registry code 05608LM) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 11049
- Airframe hours: 279
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Brown, David S.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Destination: SVH
- Airport: NONE, Hodges Field, runway 18, 2,000 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HKY, 21 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 19930911033749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930911033749A), Sep 11, 1993: Amtrvn VANSRV3, Statesville, NC, Substantial damage. Dragged Private strip at 40 feet AGL. Struck wires off end of runway.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.