# NTSB CHI90DEG01: Mccomb RV-4, N828BM, Eaton, OH, October 31, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: October 31, 1989, 18:25 local (23:25 UTC)
- Place: Eaton, OH
- Coordinates: 39.739944, -84.630477 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7399&lon=-84.6305&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14457
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90DEG01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14457/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90DEG01

## Probable cause

POOR IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN SPATIAL DISORIENTATION AND AN INADVERTENT SPIRAL. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE DARK NIGHT AND INSTRUMENT LIGHTS NOT INSTALLED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - instrument light(s) - not installed (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ONE WITNESS OBSERVED 'A SOLID GREEN LIGHT...DROP OUT OF THE SKY.' THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A STEEP ANGLE. THERE WERE NO INSTRUMENT LIGHTS INSTALLED. THE LIGHT CONDITIONS WERE DESCRIBED AS DARK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N828BM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N828BM-1990-02-06), registration cancelled 1990-02-06, S/N 418 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MCCOMB RV-4
- Registry model: [Mccomb Bernard RV 4](https://openairdocs.org/model/mccomb-bernard-rv-4) (registry code 05608AT) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 418
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mccomb, Bernard Alford
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: LNP, WISE, VA
- Destination: RID, RICHMOND, IN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 200 total, 70 in this make and model, 160 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 240° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAY, 25 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 19891031044659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891031044659A), Oct 31, 1989: Amtrvn VANSRV4, Eaton, OH, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Lost control in area of dark night and ground fog. No ground reference lights. Vertical impact. Not night approved.

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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