# NTSB FTW84LA146: Chance Vought F4U-5, N4903M, Alief, TX, February 25, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 25, 1984, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Alief, TX
- Location: 29.7111° N, 95.5963° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Alief, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7111&lon=-95.5963&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21268
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA146
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21268/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA146

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - ground
  - descent - excessive, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A POWER LOSS.THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND IN AN AREA OF NEW RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION AND WAS FORCED TO DIVE UNDER POWER LINES, THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE AND SLID TO A STOP IN LESS THAN 75 FT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED BY A POST CRASH FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4903M (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CHANCE VOUGHT F4U-5
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 122179
- Airframe hours: 1300
- Engines: P&W R-2800-32W 2300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Banner, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 19, 1984
- Departed: AAP, HOUSTON, TX
- Destination: T86, ADDICKS, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 2,200 total, 30 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HOU, 30 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 19840225006169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840225006169A), Feb 25, 1984: Vought F4U4, Alief, TX, Destroyed. Engine quit on a local flight. Crash landed off airport. Aircraft burned. Blamed bendix fuel control unit.

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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