# NTSB FTW92LA102: R. W. Switzer RV-4, N94BS, Rogers, AR, April 2, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 2, 1992, 17:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Rogers, AR
- Coordinates: 36.330165, -94.130844 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3302&lon=-94.1308&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18469
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18469/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA102

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE DUE TO FUEL STARVATION AND UNSUITABLE TERRAIN. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW PUBLISHED PROCEDURES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - none suitable (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD FLOWN FIVE HOURS OF CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT OVER UNFAMILIAR TERRAIN IN A NON-HEATED COCKPIT. FOLLOWING THE LAST DEPARTURE THE PILOT ALTERNATED THE FUEL SELECTOR BETWEEN THE TANKS. AT THE TIME OF ENGINE POWER LOSS THE SELECTOR WAS ON THE RIGHT TANK AND THE PILOT DID NOT SELECT THE LEFT FUEL TANK DURING THE EMERGENCY PROCEDURE. DURING THE FORCED LANDING THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED TREES AND SUBSEQUENTLY DESCENDED UNCONTROLLED TO THE GROUND. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE RIGHT TANK RAN DRY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N94BS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N94BS), registered now, S/N 2, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: R. W. SWITZER RV-4
- Registry model: [Switzer Robert W RV-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/switzer-robert-w-rv-4) (registry code 05608BU) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 2
- Airframe hours: 112
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dawn Y. Rinaldi
- Registered owner: Dawn Y. Rinaldi
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 22, 1992, 12 hours before
- Departed: OEL, OAKLEY, KS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 420 total, 195 in this make and model, 326 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FYV, 22 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 19920402008279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920402008279A), Apr 2, 1992: Amtr RV4, Rogers, AR, Substantial damage. Engine quit en route. Landed in tree tops and fell to ground. Fuel selector on empty tank. Ten gallons in other tank

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.