# NTSB CEN14CA189: Belisle Thomas J RV7A, N119TB, New Iberia, LA, April 5, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 5, 2014, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: New Iberia, LA - Coordinates: 30.038055, -91.879722 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0381&lon=-91.8797&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 18, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 89014 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA189 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89014/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89014 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA189 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of control due to a temporary incapacitation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Impairment/incapacitation: other loss of consciousness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012055): Personnel issues › Physical · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Belisle Thomas J RV7A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012055/cases.md?model=05627HT), [All aircraft, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012055/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Belisle Thomas J RV7A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05627HT), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Belisle Thomas J RV7A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05627HT), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot planned on a long cross-country flight. According to the pilot, he made a fuel stop and got something to eat and drink, and then continued the flight. As he approached his next stop, he reported that he contacted the tower controller, who cleared him for a right base for the runway. The airplane approached the runway, flew about 1,000 feet down the runway, and then drifted off to the right. The airplane then flew across a parallel taxiway, made a right turn, and impacted terrain, just east of the runway. The pilot reported that he did not remember the accident, nor climbing out of the airplane. By the time the first responders arrived, he was able to walk around the airplane and waved to them to indicate that he was not injured. He added that the last thing he remembered, was making the approach, and then looking at the wrecked airplane. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the fuselage. The airplane was not equipped with carbon monoxide detectors, however, the heat exchanger had been removed and the ports plugged, and no indications that carbon monoxide had leaked into the cabin. The examination did not reveal any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Additionally, the pilot reported no problems with the airplane prior to the accident. The pilot added that he was given several tests at the hospital, but doctors told him it was probably due to dehydration. ## Factual narrative The pilot planned on a long cross-country flight. According to the pilot, he made a fuel stop and got something to eat and drink, and then continued the flight. As he approached his next stop, he reported that he contacted the tower controller, who cleared him for a right base for the runway. The airplane approached the runway, flew about 1,000 feet down the runway, and then drifted off to the right. The airplane then flew across a parallel taxiway, made a right turn, and impacted terrain, just east of the runway. The pilot reported that he did not remember the accident, nor climbing out of the airplane. By the time the first responders arrived, he was able to walk around the airplane and waved to them to indicate that he was not injured. He added that the last thing he remembered, was making the approach, and then looking at the wrecked airplane. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the fuselage. The airplane was not equipped with carbon monoxide detectors, however, the heat exchanger had been removed and the ports plugged, and no indications that carbon monoxide had leaked into the cabin. The examination did not reveal any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Additionally, the pilot reported no problems with the airplane prior to the accident. The pilot added that he was given several tests at the hospital, but doctors told him it was probably due to dehydration. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N119TB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N119TB), registered now, S/N 71612, built 2010 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELISLE THOMAS J RV7A - Registry model: [Belisle Thomas J RV7A](https://openairdocs.org/model/belisle-thomas-j-rv7a) (registry code 05627HT) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-A4A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-a4a) (registry code 42270, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 71612 - Year built: 2010 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: Cross City, FL - Destination: Fort Stockton, CA - Airport: KARA, Acadiana Regional, runway 34, 8,002 × 200 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,900 ft overcast - Temperature: 9 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KARA ## 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 20140405005779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140405005779A), Apr 5, 2014: Belisle Thomas J RV7A, New Iberia, LA, Substantial damage. Aircraft made right base turn to runway 34. On approach, aircraft flew down centerline of runway 34 for approximately 1000 feet then began drifting to the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 13, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89014. 639 KB in all. - Statements (item 1, .PDF, 514 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413285&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statements-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector email statements (item 2, .PDF, 125 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413286&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20email%20statements-Redacted.PDF 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.