# NTSB FTW96LA306: Smith RV4, N83FS, Mandeville, AR, July 14, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 14, 1996, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Mandeville, AR - Coordinates: 33.491892, -93.955279 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4919&lon=-93.9553&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 25, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19911 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA306 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19911/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA306 ## Probable cause a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - water ## Analysis While on short final for runway 18, the pilot advanced the engine throttle to maintain glide path, but the engine did not respond. The airplane came to rest in water about 200 yards short of the approach end of the runway. ## Factual narrative On July 14, 1996, at 1700 central daylight time, a Smith RV4, N83FS, owned and operated by a private owner, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Mandeville, Louisiana. The commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91. A flight plan was not filed for the cross country flight that originated near Stennis, Missouri at 1645. According to the pilot, the airplane was about 1/2 mile from the end of runway 18 when he "added additional power to maintain glide path. There was no response from the engine." The airplane impacted the water about 200 yards from the approach end of the runway. The lower fuselage and leading edge of both wings were damaged. An engine tear down was not performed, and the cause of the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N83FS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N83FS-2018-02-15), registration cancelled 2018-02-15, S/N 3083, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Smith RV4 - Registry model: [Smith F H SMITHS RV-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-f-h-smiths-rv-4) (registry code 056203B) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 3083 - Airframe hours: 428 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Francis H. Smith - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1996, 17 hours before - Departed: HSA, STENNIS, MS - Destination: NEW, NEW ORLEANS, LA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 3,600 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 3,600 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 95 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19960714046169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960714046169A), Jul 14, 1996: Amtr RV4, New Orleans, LA, No damage. (-23) While on final approach for landing, the pilot experienced an engine failure. The pilot managed to ditch the aircraft to the water. Although the aircraft… 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.