# NTSB FTW95LA122: Morrison, Marvin E. RV-4, N872MM, Brighton, CO, February 25, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 25, 1995, 13:59 local (20:59 UTC)
- Place: Brighton, CO
- Coordinates: 39.950569, -104.789726 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9506&lon=-104.7897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 23, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19359
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA122
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19359/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA122

## Probable cause

A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER FOR UNKNOWN REASONS. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING.

## 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, emergency descent/landing
- Nose over, emergency landing
  - terrain condition - soft
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING INITIAL CLIMB FOLLOWING TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE PILOT CONDUCTED A FORCED LANDING TO A PLOWED FIELD.  THE LANDING GEAR DUG IN AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER.  AUTOMOTIVE FUEL WAS BEING USED IN THE AIRCRAFT AT THE TIME. AN FAA INSPECTOR, WHO EXAMINED THE AIRCRAFT, FOUND NO EVIDENCE AS TO WHY THE ENGINE LOST POWER.

## Factual narrative

On February 25, 1995, at 1359 mountain standard time, an experimental RV-4, N872MM, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Brighton, Colorado.  The aircraft sustained substantial damage when the landing gear dug in and the aircraft nosed over.  The pilot and passenger received minor injuries.  No flight plan was filed for this local area personal flight which was departing Van Aire (CO12), a private airport.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

During initial climb following takeoff the engine lost power.  During the forced landing, in a freshly plowed field, the landing gear dug in and the aircraft nosed over.

According to the FAA airworthiness inspector who examined the aircraft, the fuel being used was regular automotive fuel and a fuel analysis was negative for contaminates.  The inspector found no evidence to indicate why the engine lost power.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N872MM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N872MM-2013-05-10), registration cancelled 2013-05-10, S/N 872 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MORRISON, MARVIN E. RV-4
- Registry model: [Morrison Marvin E RV-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/morrison-marvin-e-rv-4) (registry code 056085B) (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: 872
- Airframe hours: 734
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mansfield, William J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: AAIP, June 20, 1994, 81 hours before
- Departed: CO12

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 666 total, 490 in this make and model, 640 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 70 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 10 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DEN, 20 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 19950225003009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950225003009A), Feb 25, 1995: Amtr RV4, Brighton, CO, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Landed in plowed field. Nosed over.

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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