# NTSB CHI83DA308: Von Berg VEE BEE 4, N4VB, Saginaw, MI, August 14, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: August 14, 1982, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Saginaw, MI
- Location: 43.4177° N, 83.9547° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Saginaw, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4177&lon=-83.9547&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 14, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72457
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83DA308
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72457/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83DA308

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE HOME BUILT AIRCRAFT WAS MAKING A HIGH SPEED TAXI RUN WHEN THE AIRCRAFT INADVERTENTLY BECAME AIRBORNE. THE PLANE CLIMBED TO ABOUT 100 FT AGL AND THEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. DURING LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE LANDING FLARE WAS INCOMPLETE. ALSO, HE STATED THAT THE ENGINE LOST POWER DUE TO FUEL STARVATION. ADDITIONALLY, HE REPORTED THAT THE ELECTRIC AUX PUMP WAS NOT ON, THE FUEL LEVELS WERE LOW, THE FRONT FUEL TANK WAS NOT ON AND THE PITCH TRIM HAD BEEN PRESET FOR A CLIMB.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4VB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4VB-1983-05-05), registration cancelled 1983-05-05, S/N 01 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: VON BERG VEE BEE 4
- Registry model: [Von Berg Richard VB-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/von-berg-richard-vb-4) (registry code 0566150) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 01
- Airframe hours: 14
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90 95 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Dick Von Berg
- Registered owner: Dick Von Berg
- Departed: 2SG, SAGINAW, MI
- Destination: 2SG, SAGINAW, MI
- Airport: 2SG, Harry Brown, runway 27, 3,500 × 0 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 434 total, 14 in this make and model, 340 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 158 °F

## 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 19820814038179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820814038179A), Aug 14, 1982: Amtr VB4, Saginaw, MI, Substantial damage. Became airborne on fast taxi test. Engine quit at 100 feet in nose-high attitude. No time to flare. Fuel mismanaged.

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.

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