# NTSB CHI83FA243: Pestes RV-3, N45AP, Oshkosh, WI, July 31, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 31, 1983, 12:41 local (17:41 UTC)
- Place: Oshkosh, WI
- Location: 43.9826° N, 88.5371° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from WITTMAN RGNL (OSH), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9826&lon=-88.5371&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11996
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83FA243
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11996/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83FA243

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - crew/group coordination - disregarded, other person (cause)
  - aircraft handling - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED DURING A 'SHOWCASE' FLYBY AT THE ANNUAL EAA CONVENTION. THE ACFT WAS FLYING #4 POSITION IN A FORMATION OF 4 ACFT. THE FLT WAS EXECUTING A VERY STEEP, NEAR 90 DEG BANK LEFT TURN AT 300-500 FT WHEN THE ACFT'S CAME UP & OVER PUTTING THE ACFT INTO AN INVERTED POSITION. THE PLT REGAINED AN UPRIGHT POSITION WHILE IN A DESCENT & THE ACFTSTRUCK A TREE. THE FLT LEADER STATED THERE WAS NO PLANE-TO-PLANE RADIO COMMUNICATIONS ESTABLISHED TO ADVISE THE WING & SLOT PLTS OF THE MANEUVERS ABOUT TO BE PERFORMED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N45AP (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PESTES RV-3
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 409
- Airframe hours: 142
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2F 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Arlin N. Pestes
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, July 27, 1982, 115 hours before
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: OSH, Wittman Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 861 total, 142 in this make and model, 776 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OSH, 1 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 19830731074799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830731074799A), Jul 31, 1983: Amtrvn VANSRV3, Oshkosh, WI, Destroyed. Aircraft stalled during tight turn while in 4 plane formation. Pilot could not recover before crash.

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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