# NTSB CHI03LA016: LaFerriere Vans RV-4, N994RV, Lake Geneva, WI, October 27, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 27, 2002, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Lake Geneva, WI - Coordinates: 42.572223, -88.3675 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5722&lon=-88.3675&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA -- Milwaukee FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 55999 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA016 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55999/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA016 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to carburetor ice. A contributing factor was the ditch adjacent to the roadway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) ## Analysis The amateur-built aircraft was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss engine power shortly after takeoff. The pilot reported: "After doing a run-up prior to my departure I applied full throttle and departed the runway. Moments later I noticed a loss of power and the engine quit running." The pilot attempted a forced landing on a four-lane roadway adjacent to the airport. The pilot landed on the shoulder of the roadway and proceeded into an adjacent ditch. A post-accident engine examination was conducted and did not find any anomolies. Weather conditions reported in the vicinity of the accident location included an air temperature and dew point of 7 degrees Celsius and -2 degrees Celsuis, respectively. According to data provided by Transport Canada, a possibility of serious carburetor icing at descent power existed at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative On October 27, 2002, at 1300 central standard time, an amateur-built LaFerriere Vans RV-4 airplane, N994RV, owned and piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss engine power shortly after takeoff. The airplane had just departed runway 22 (2,300 feet x 40 feet, asphalt) at the Lake Geneva Aire Estates Airport (WI89), Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. The pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The intended destination was the Burlington Municipal Airport (BUU), Burlington, Wisconsin, approximately eight miles to the north. In his written statement, the pilot reported: "After doing a run-up prior to my departure I applied full throttle and departed the runway. Moments later I noticed a loss of power and the engine quit running. Seeing that I had only about 125' to 150' of altitude I turned to the south to attempt a landing on the four lane highway. I pointed the nose of the aircraft downwards to prevent the aircraft from stalling and subsequently maybe spinning." The aircraft landed on the shoulder of the southbound traffic lane and "proceeded into the ditch, paralleling the highway. The aircraft came to an abrupt stop after doing a ground loop." A post-accident examination was conducted. Fuel was present in the fuel tanks, with no evidence of contamination present. Engine continuity was confirmed through crankshaft rotation. All cylinders exhibited compression. The engine driven and electric fuel pumps were tested and appeared to operate normally. The left magneto provided spark across all leads. The right ignition system was electronic and was not tested. The lower portion of the carburetor was sheared from the engine. The upper portion remained intact. The venturi appeared undamaged and the throttle valve appeared to operate normally. The lower cowling was detached from the airframe. Weather conditions reported by the Burlington Municipal Airport (BUU) Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS), located 8 miles north-northwest of WI89, at 1258 cst, included an air temperature of 7 degrees Celsius and a dew point of -2 degrees Celsuis. According to data provided by Transport Canada, a possibility of serious carburetor icing at descent power existed at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N994RV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N994RV-2003-10-28), registration cancelled 2003-10-28, S/N 2743, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LaFerriere Vans RV-4 - Registry model: [Laferriere Bernard VANS RV-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/laferriere-bernard-vans-rv-4) (registry code 05626AT) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 2743 - Airframe hours: 732 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 Series 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, September 29, 2002, 4 hours before - Departed: WI89, Lake Geneva, WI - Destination: BUU, Burlington, WI - Airport: WI89, Lake Geneva Aire Estates ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 27, 2001; seat: front; flight hours: 737 total, 450 in this make and model, 696 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.23 inHg - Observed at: BUU, 8 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 20021027033749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021027033749A), Oct 27, 2002: Amtr VANSRV4, Lakegeneva, WI, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft departed runway 23 at geneva aire estates and at approximately 100/150 feet above the runway lost all engine power. The pilot attempted to land… 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.