# NTSB CHI92DEC03: Jarrell RV-3, N50WP, Jackson, MI, August 6, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1992, 18:05 local (22:05 UTC)
- Place: Jackson, MI
- Coordinates: 42.240623, -84.400848 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2406&lon=-84.4008&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15232
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92DEC03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15232/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92DEC03

## Probable cause

AN OVERLOAD AND TOTAL FAILURE OF THE REAR WING ATTACH FITTING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - wing,wing attachment fitting - overload (cause)
  - wing,wing attachment fitting - failure,total (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF A HOMEBUILT AEROBATIC AIRPLANE PLANNED TO PERFORM AEROBATICS ABOVE HIS HOME.  WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE ENTER A LOOP MANEUVER WITH AN ABRUPT PITCH UP MOTION.  AS THE AIRPLANE NEARED THE TOP OF THE LOOP MANEUVER THE WINGS FOLDED OVER THE CANOPY OF THE AIRPLANE.  THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED VERTICALLY, COLLIDING WITH THE GROUND SHORTLY THEREAFTER.  AN ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE REAR SPAR ATTACH FITTINGS HAD FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY.  THE AIRPLANE'S DESIGNER STATED A REAR SPAR MODIFICATION HAD BEEN ISSUED TO BUILDERS AND OWNERS OF THIS TYPE AIRPLANE.  THE AIRPLANE HAD THE MODIFICATION MADE TO ITS STRUCTURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N50WP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50WP-1992-11-05), registration cancelled 1992-11-05, S/N 31245 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: JARRELL RV-3
- Registry model: [Jarrell William L RV-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/jarrell-william-l-rv-3) (registry code 05608R2) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 31245
- Airframe hours: 88
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gorzen, Samuel Edward
- Registered owner: Gorzen, Samuel Edward
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 23, 1992, 6 hours before
- Departed: JXN
- Destination: JXN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 622 total, 7 in this make and model, 434 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JXN, 5 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 19920806029509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920806029509A), Aug 6, 1992: Amtrmm RV3, Jackson, MI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Wing fuselage attach angles failed during abrupt pullup for a loop. Wings folded. Homebuilt dived to vertical impact

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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