FTW94FA149

The pilot radioed he was going to make a low north-south pass over the gliderport. Witnesses said the airplane flew 20 feet above the ground, pulled up to 800 feet, did a wingover, and entered a spin. One witness saw the airplane stop spinning just before impact. She said the nose pitched up abruptly, the airplane entered an accelerated stall, and disappeared from view in a flat attitude. The pilot's logbook revealed 2.1 hours of aerobatic instruction and 7.1 hours solo aerobatics in various airplanes in 1992. In 1993 and 1994, the pilot logged 9.1 hours of solo aerobatics in the RV4, including loops, rolls, inverted flight, wingovers, and spins.

History of flight

On May 7, 1994, approximately 1614 mountain daylight time, N88LG, a Robl RV4, was destroyed when it impacted terrain while maneuvering 5 miles west of Elbert, Colorado. The private pilot and a passenger were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

According to the Kelly Airpark manager, the pilot called on the radio and said he was going to make a low pass from south to north. The manager and several pilot-witnesses watched the airplane pass over the field about 20 feet above the ground. Although their observations varied slightly, most agreed the pilot pulled up to 800 feet, did a wing-over, and entered a spin. One pilot-witness said she saw the airplane stop spinning just before the impact. She said the nose pitched up abruptly, the airplane entered an accelerated stall, and disappeared from view in a flat attitude.

Crew information

A review of the pilot's logbook disclosed he had taken a total of 2.1 hours aerobatic instruction in a Beech T-34, Citabria 7KCAB, and Grumman AA-1C in 1992. He had also logged 7.1 hours of solo aerobatic flight. Between 1993 and 1994, the pilot logged 9.1 hours solo aerobatic flight in the Robl RV4. The aerobatics consisted of loops, rolls, inverted flight, wingovers, and spins. Pertinent logbook entries are attached as exhibits to this report.

Wreckage and impact information

The airplane came to rest in the middle of Ben Kelly Road, less than one mile north of the gliderport, on a magnetic heading of

165 degrees. There was a 3-foot interruption in the ground on the north shoulder of the road on a magnetic heading of 180 degrees. Seven feet beyond was the 23-foot wide dirt road. Another 7-foot ground interruption extended to the tail of the airplane (see Wreckage Distribution chart).

Both horizontal stabilizers were bent down. There were four interruptions in the fuselage: at the engine firewall, at the front pilot's seat, at the rear pilot's seat, and at the vertical stabilizer. All of the interruptions were in a downward fashion.

The fuselage was slightly twisted to the left (see photos.) Measurements indicate the flaps were extended approximately 10 to 15 degrees. The shattered descending wooden propeller blade was separated from the hub. The ascending blade remained attached.

Medical and pathological information

An autopsy (#94A-128) and toxicology screen were performed by the El Paso County Coroner's Office in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The only substances detected were caffeine and a 5% saturation of carbon monoxide.

Additional information

The wreckage was released to the owner's representative on May 9, 1994.