# NTSB CEN18FA389: Vans RV 4, N534MM, Austin, AR, September 26, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report - Date: September 26, 2018, 14:42 local (19:42 UTC) - Place: Austin, AR - Coordinates: 35.04, -92.019447 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0400&lon=-92.0194&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 2 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Lycoming Engines, FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98358 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN18FA389 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98358/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98358 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA389 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and an accelerated stall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mcmains Michael A RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=0560374), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Mcmains Michael A RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=0560374), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mcmains Michael A RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0560374), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Mcmains Michael A RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=0560374), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Mcmains Michael A RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=0560374), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Mcmains Michael A RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=0560374), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was conducting a local personal flight to fly over his home; it was the pilot's first flight in the airplane without a flight instructor. According to radar data, the airplane started to descend and the ground speed increased from about 100 knots to about 145 knots just before the airplane flew over the pilot's home. according to a witness, the airplane approached the house and the right wing tipped up, the airplane climbed briefly, and then the airplane rolled inverted, descended, and impacted terrain. Postaccident examination of the airplane and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operations. The description of the flight sequence is consistent with an accelerated stall when the airplane entered into a left bank as the pilot flew over his home. The pilot had completed a total of 10 hours of instruction in the accident airplane. According to the pilot's flight instructor, most of the pilot's training time consisted of takeoffs and landings and minimal time was spent training maneuvers and performance characteristics. ## Factual narrative The instrument panel was destroyed by the postimpact fire; as a result, investigators were unable to determine the airplane's total time. On September 26, 2018, about 1442 central daylight time, an amateur-built Vans RV-4 airplane, N534MM, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Austin, Arkansas. The private pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight. Radar data showed that the airplane departed North Little Rock Municipal Airport (ORK), North Little Rock, Arkansas, about 1424 and flew at an altitude between 2,600 ft and 2,700 ft mean sea level (msl) and a ground speed of between 110 and 120 knots until just west of the pilot's home (see figure 1). The airplane started to descend about 1439 and the ground speed increased to about 145 knots. The last radar location was recorded at 1440:41 about over the pilot's home and the accident site was located in an open field a few hundred feet east of the pilot's home. Figure 1 - Radar data of accident flight In a postaccident interview, the pilot's wife stated that, before the pilot left the house for work, he said the weather was "not good" for flying and he did not plan to fly the airplane that day. Later, he called her from the airport and told her he was going to fly. She asked him if he was "sure about flying due to the weather," and he said the winds had decreased and it looked good for the flight. Then he told her when to stand outside their house to see him fly by. As the airplane flew overhead, the pilot's wife reported that she saw the right wing "tip up," the airplane climbed briefly, and then, "all of sudden," the airplane went upside down and dove down. She added that the airplane was flying so low and so fast that she knew he was not going to be able to recover. The Arkansas State Crime Laboratory, Medical Examiner Division, Little Rock, Arkansas, performed an autopsy of the pilot. The autopsy indicated that the cause of death was multiple injuries. Toxicological testing of the pilot's specimens performed by the FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory was negative for carbon monoxide, ethanol, and drugs. The upper air sounding chart created for the accident site at 1500 indicated a surface wind from about 30° at 10 knots with the wind remaining northeasterly through 4,000 ft. The wind increased in speed to 15 knots by about 800 ft msl and to 20 knots by about 1,700 ft. Wind decreased to 10 knots at 4,000 ft msl, and about 5,000 ft msl the wind direction shifted to about 10º. The chart indicated below about 3,000 ft msl the atmosphere was unstable or conditionally unstable. The pilot actively flew Lockheed C-130 military transport airplanes, with the United States Air National Guard (US ANG). According to US ANG records, the pilot had logged a total of 5,613 hours of total time in the C-130. The pilot had received a tailwheel endorsement on September 21, 2018. According to the pilot's wife,the accident flight was the pilot's first flight in the airplane without a flight instructor. According to the pilot's flight instructor, most of the pilot's training in the airplane consisted of takeoffs and landings and minimal time was spent training maneuvers and performance characteristics. The pilot's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) first-class medical certificate was issued on March 6, 2006, with the limitation that he must wear corrective lenses, and it expired on March 31, 2008. The pilot's military medical clearance was active. According to 14 CFR 61.23(b)(9), "Operations not requiring a medical certificate," pilots that have a current military medical clearance with the US armed forces are not required to hold a current medical certificate for domestic flights that require a third-class medical clearance. The airplane impacted an open field, vegetated in grass, in a wings-level, nose-low attitude, between 35° and 40° nose down. The main wreckage came to rest about 185 ft south/southeast of the initial impact point oriented on a heading of 323°, on the edge of Rick Lake (see figure 2). Figure 2: Aerial photograph depicting initial impact point and location of main wreckage During the on-scene investigation, investigators located fiberglass and metal fragments, the left aileron, and both propeller blades in the debris field between the initial impact point and the main wreckage. The grass between the initial impact point and the main wreckage was discolored, which was consistent with fuel blighting. The main wreckage included the engine, fuselage, empennage, and both wings. A postimpact fire damaged the fuselage, the inboard portion of both wings, and the skin of the empennage. The main landing gear separated partially from the airplane but remained with the wreckage. The first ground scar was several inches deep, about 6 inches wide, and extended 5 ft to a larger ground scar. The larger ground scar consisted of three distinct sections; a center section, a left section, and a right section. The left section extended about 7 ft to the east and was about 1 ft 6 inches wide at its widest point. The right section extended about 7 ft to the west and was about 2 inches deep and 6 inches wide at its widest point. The center section extended south towards the main wreckage and was 9 ft long, several inches deep, and full of water. A dark substance consistent with oil pooled at the top of the water. Dirt was displaced out of the larger scar towards the main wreckage to the south. One propeller blade was on the right side of the debris field and was bowed aft and twisted. The second blade was 38 ft from the end of the main scar with the tip buried in the ground. The second blade also exhibited leading-edge scoring at the tip and was otherwise unremarkable. One half of the propeller hub was 70 ft from the second blade while the other half was buried about 1 ft 6 inches deep in the large ground scar. A line of trees and bushes between theinitial impact point and main wreckage exhibited torn and separated bark. Witness marks on the trees and vegetation and discoloring of the leaves were also consistent with fuel blighting. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board and parties to the investigation revealed no preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N534MM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N534MM-2020-08-02), registration cancelled 2020-08-02, S/N MM3756, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Vans RV 4 (Undesignat) - Registry model: [Mcmains Michael A RV-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcmains-michael-a-rv-4) (registry code 0560374) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-360-A1D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (registry code 41504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: MM3756 - Year built: 1997 - Airframe hours: 811.7 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 8, 2018 - Departed: KORK, N Little Rock, AR - Destination: KORK, N Little Rock, AR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: fatal; commercial, private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,623 total, 10 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,200 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: KLRF, 10 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 20180926009519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180926009519A), Sep 26, 2018: Mcmains Michael A RV-4, Austin, AR, Destroyed, 1 fatal. On September 26, 2018, at approximately 1415 CST, a Mcmains Michael A RV-4 registration N534MM holding an experimental operating amateur built airworthiness… ## Docket (13 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 9, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98358. 7.8 MB in all. - Accident site photographs (item 1, PDF, 2 pages, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9482099&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Site%20Photographs-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� wreckage examination summary (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 29 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9452624&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20for%20Wreckage%20Exam-Rel.pdf - Recorded air traffic control radar data (plot) (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 753 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9481602&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N534MM%20Flight%20Track%20Figures-Rel.pdf - Radar data from opsview (item 4, PDF, 5 pages, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=10126930&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N534MM%20CEN18FA389%20OpsView%20Radar%20Data-Rel.pdf - Pilot's logbook (item 5, PDF, 5 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9500442&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Whitlow%20Pilot%20Logbook_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum of record for pilot's flight time with us air national guard (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 60 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9481643&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20for%20Whitlow%20ANG%20Flight%20Time-Rel.pdf - Upper air sounding data (item 7, PDF, 1 page, 157 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9469881&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN18FA389%201500cdt%20upper%20air%20sounding-Rel.pdf - Record of weather gathering by pilot before flight (item 8, PDF, 2 pages, 114 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=10125916&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN18FA389%20Pilot%20weather%20for%20N534MM_redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation with pilot's wife (item 9, PDF, 2 pages, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9473448&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20Pilot%27s%20Wife-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation with pilot's instructor (item 10, PDF, 1 page, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9474619&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20Pilot%27s%20Instructor-Rel.pdf - Maintenance records (item 11, PDF, 2 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9451447&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Last%20Annual%20Inspections%20on%20N534MM_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Toxicological report (item 12, PDF, 1 page, 92 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9451465&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Whitlow%20Tox%20Report%20for%20docket_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 13, PDF, 1 page, 83 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9451456&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN18FA389%20Completed%20Wreckage%20Release%20Form%20Signed_Redacted-Rel.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.