# NTSB DEN92DTE01: Vans RV-4, N14BA, Bennett, CO, March 29, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: March 28, 1992, 17:45 local (Mar 29, 1992, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Bennett, CO
- Coordinates: 39.75011, -104.420593 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7501&lon=-104.4206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18141
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN92DTE01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18141/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92DTE01

## Probable cause

LOSS OF CONTROL BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND.  A FACTOR WAS:  AIRCRAFT WEIGHT AND BALANCE LIMITS EXCEEDED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE CONDUCTING WHAT WITNESSES DESCRIBED AS AEROBATIC MANEUVERS, THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED UNCONTROLLED FLIGHT AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE WEIGHT AND BALANCE LIMITS WERE EXCEEDED. THE MANUFACTURER REPORTED THAT AFT C.G. RESULTED IN DETERIORATED STALL SPIN RECOVERY.  AFT C.G. WAS EXCEEDED BY A MINIMUM OF .5 INCHES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N14BA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N14BA-1992-09-25), registration cancelled 1992-09-25, S/N 789 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Vans Aircraft RV-4
- Registry model: [Amos William J JR VANS RV 4](https://openairdocs.org/model/amos-william-j-jr-vans-rv-4) (registry code 056087S) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 789
- Airframe hours: 428
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Amos, William J., Jr.
- Registered owner: Amos, William J., Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 2, 1991, 124 hours before
- Departed: 01V, WATKINS, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 747 total, 421 in this make and model, 691 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: APA, 23 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 19920328007569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920328007569A), Mar 28, 1992: Amtrvn VANSRV4, Bennett, CO, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Observed performing steep pullups then stall and spin. Was over gross weight and aft of center of gravity envelope.

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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