# NTSB ATL99LA007: W.S. Bowers, Jr. RV-4, N741WB, Apopka, FL, October 10, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 10, 1998, 17:11 local (21:11 UTC) - Place: Apopka, FL - Coordinates: 28.679763, -81.509925 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.6798&lon=-81.5099&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 44145 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL99LA007 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/44145/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA007 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while performing aerobatics which resulted in the lost of control and a stall/spin. A contributing factor was the low altitude at which the maneuver was performed. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/spin - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - grass ## Analysis Witnesses located in the immediate vicinity of the accident site observed the airplane as it entered a loop type maneuver at a low altitude. As the airplane entered the bottom of the maneuver, proper airspeed was not maintained, the airplane became erratic, and collided with the ground in a nose low attitude. According to witnesses, the engine continued to operate throughout the maneuver. The fuel selector was found in the on position, and the fuel tanks appeared to be ruptured from impact. Examination of the airframe and engine failed to disclose a mechanial problem with the airplane. The toxicology examinations performed on the pilot were negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, ethanol, and drugs. ## Factual narrative On October 10, 1998, at 1711 eastern daylight time, an experimental homebuilt RV-4 airplane, N741WB, collided with the ground near Apopka, Florida, while performing an aerobatics maneuver. The personal flight was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. Examination of the airplane at the accident site revealed substantial airframe damage. The private pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The flight departed Bob White Field, in Zellwood, Florida, at 1515. Witnesses located in the immediate vicinity of the accident site observed the airplane as it entered a loop at a low altitude. As the airplane entered the bottom of the maneuver, the airplane became erratic, partially spun, and collided with the ground in a nose down attitude. According to witnesses, the engine continued to operate throughout the maneuver. Strong fuel fumes existed at the accident site following the impact. Examination of the accident site by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed the airplane fuselage, wing assembly, and empennage were attached to the airframe. Debris from the airplane was distributed evenly around the impact zone in a 360-degree pattern. The airplane was found in a flat attitude with the wing assembly leading edges bent upwards approximately 30 degrees. The fuselage was fractured on the left side aft of the main wing, all control cables were intact, the fuel selector was found in the on position, and the fuel tanks appeared to be ruptured from impact. Examination of the airframe and engine assembly failed to disclose a mechanical problem. The toxicological examinations performed on the pilot were negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, ethanol, or drugs. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N741WB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N741WB-1999-01-12), registration cancelled 1999-01-12, S/N 262 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: W.S. Bowers, Jr. RV-4 - Registry model: [Xray 78 RV-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/xray-78-rv-4) (registry code 05608SF) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 262 - Airframe hours: 267 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Robert Christopher Oleksa - Registered owner: Xray 78, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 21, 1997, 46 hours before - Departed: X61, ZELLWOOD, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 21; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 132 total, 11 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: ORL, 15 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 19981010028769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981010028769A), Oct 10, 1998: Amtr RV4, Apopka, FL, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Witnesses stated that the acft appeared to be performing aerobatic maneuvers and had completed a loop when it stalled, spun in, and crashed. (-23) aircraft… 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.