# NTSB DEN90DTG02: Eugene N. Rausch RV-4, N319ER, Erie, ND, June 23, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1990, 17:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Erie, ND
- Coordinates: 47.109718, -97.380805 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1097&lon=-97.3808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17802
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90DTG02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17802/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90DTG02

## Probable cause

AN INADVERTENT STALL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

FOLLOWING TAKEOFF IN HIS EXPERIMENTAL, HOMEBUILT AIRCRAFT, THE PILOT ENTERED A STEEP TURN. WITNESS AND IMPACT INFORMATION INDICATES THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 80 DEGREES FOLLOWED BY A DECREASING NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE JUST PRIOR TO GROUND IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N319ER](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N319ER-1990-12-05), registration cancelled 1990-12-05, S/N 319 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: EUGENE N. RAUSCH 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
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Eugene N. Rausch
- Registered owner: Eugene N Rausch
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: 5N8, CASSELTON, ND
- Airport: 38ND, Schroder

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAR, 38 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 19900623021829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900623021829A), Jun 23, 1990: Amtrvn VANSRV4, Erie, ND, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Began turnback and stalled on climbout. Partial recovery prior impact.

## 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 DEN86FTG02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FTG02), Sep 13, 1986: Rarsch RV-4 (N319ER), Erie, ND, substantial damage

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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