# NTSB ATL99LA030: Michael L. Thibault RV-4, N62632, Okeechobee, FL, December 6, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 6, 1998, 16:01 local (21:01 UTC) - Place: Okeechobee, FL - Coordinates: 27.500848, -80.929641 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.5008&lon=-80.9296&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45406 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL99LA030 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45406/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA030 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to use carburetor heat that resulted in the total loss of engine power. Factors were conditions favorable for the formation of carburetor ice. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, climb - to cruise - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause) - fuel system - ice (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - other ## Analysis While on final approach to runway 13, the pilot experienced a complete loss of engine power. The pilot elected to attempt an emergency landing on a public street. During the emergency landing, the right wing collided with a mailbox and a parked van. The post-accident examination of the accident site disclosed that the airplane rested in a ditch adjacent to the public street. The examination of the airplane revealed that fuel was present in the fuel system. Examination of the ignition system disclosed that the spark plugs displayed a clean ignition pattern. No obvious mechanical problems with the airplane were observed during the field examination. Weather conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice, and the pilot did not report applying carburetor heat during any phase of the flight. ## Factual narrative On December 6, 1998, at 1601 eastern standard time, a Michael L. Thibault, RV-4, N62632, an experimental airplane, registered to the pilot, collided with a mailbox during an emergency landing near the Okeechobe Airport in Okeechobee, Florida. The personal flight was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. A review of weather data recovered from the nearest reporting facility disclosed that visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial airframe damage, and the commercial pilot was not injured. The flight initially departed Okeechobee, Florida, at 1430. According to the pilot, on the morning of the accident he completed a preflight inspection of the airplane. After takeoff, the pilot flew 30 minutes in the local flying area before returning to the airport for closed traffic. The pilot reported that he had made several touch and go landings at Okeechobee Airport. While on final approach to runway 13, the pilot experienced a complete loss of engine power. The pilot elected to attempt an emergency landing on a public street. During the emergency landing, the right wing collided with a mailbox and a parked van. The post-accident examination of the accident site disclosed that the airplane rested in a ditch adjacent to the public street. The examination of the airplane revealed that fuel was present in the fuel system. Examination of the ignition system disclosed that the spark plugs displayed a clean ignition pattern. No obvious mechanical problems with the airplane were observed during the field examination. A review of existing weather data disclosed that weather conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice. The pilot did not report applying carburetor heat during any phase of the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N62632](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N62632), registered now, S/N 1733, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Michael L. Thibault RV-4 - Registry model: [Thibault Michael L RV4](https://openairdocs.org/model/thibault-michael-l-rv4) (registry code 05605M3) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1733 - Airframe hours: 3 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-FA16 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Michael L. Thibault - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Airport: OBE, Okeechobee County, runway 13, 4,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 2,000 total, 2 in this make and model, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 8 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FPR, 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 19981206032799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981206032799A), Dec 6, 1998: Amtr RV4, Okeechobee, FL, Substantial damage. Acft engine quit on final approach to rwy 13. (.19) on December 6, 1998, at 1601 eastern standard time, a michael l. thibault, RV-4, N62632, an experimental… ## Other investigations on N62632 (1) 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. - [NTSB ERA14LA402](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA402), Aug 21, 2014: Thibault Michael L RV4 (N62632), Polk Township, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine revealed no anomalies. 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.