# NTSB DEN86FTG02: Rarsch RV-4, N319ER, Erie, ND, September 13, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: September 13, 1986, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Erie, ND
- Coordinates: 47.109584, -97.379341 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1096&lon=-97.3793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16856
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86FTG02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16856/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FTG02

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT SAID HE WAS MAKING A SHORT FIELD APCH TO A PRIVATE, SOD, STRIP. HE SAID HE WAS IN A SHALLOW LT BANK ON FINAL APCH WHEN HE NOTICED THE ACFT WAS IN A SLIP AND DESCENDING TOO FAST TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH TREES 500 FT FROM THE APCH END OF THE STRIP. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE TREES AND CRASHED IN A PLOWED FIELD SHORT OF THE RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N319ER](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N319ER-1990-12-05), registration cancelled 1990-12-05, S/N 319 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RARSCH RV-4
- Registry model: [Rausch Eugene RV-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/rausch-eugene-rv-4) (registry code 056082Y) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 319
- Airframe hours: 38
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Eugene N. Rausch
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, May 2, 1986, 38 hours before
- Departed: WEST FARGO, ND
- Airport: Schroeder (Private)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,200 total, 38 in this make and model, 1,060 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAR, 27 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 19860913044959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860913044959A), Sep 13, 1986: Amtrvn VANSRV4, Erie, ND, Substantial damage. Misjudged short field approach and the aircraft struck trees on final. No go around attempted. Auto gas used.

## Other investigations on N319ER (1)

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.

- [NTSB DEN90DTG02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90DTG02), Jun 23, 1990: Eugene N. Rausch RV-4 (N319ER), Erie, ND, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: AN INADVERTENT STALL.

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.