# NTSB GAA16CA344: Benjamin Harold E RV-4, N3446, Fitchburg, MA, June 25, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 25, 2016, 16:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Fitchburg, MA - Coordinates: 42.55389, -71.759162 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5539&lon=-71.7592&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 25, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA Lexington FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 93496 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA344 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93496/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93496 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA344 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control upon landing, which resulted in a runway excursion followed by impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Benjamin Harold E RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05631VF), [All aircraft, 3,969 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Benjamin Harold E RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05631VF), [All aircraft, 9,308 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Benjamin Harold E RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05631VF), [All aircraft, 4,590 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Benjamin Harold E RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05631VF), [All aircraft, 3,656 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Benjamin Harold E RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05631VF), [All aircraft, 2,289 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he made a normal three-point landing, shortly after touchdown the airplane veered to the left, then veered to the right. The pilot further reported that he applied power in an attempt to regain control, however the airplane veered back to the left and he reduced power as the airplane departed the runway. The airplane ground looped and the right wing impacted terrain causing substantial damage to the right aileron. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he made a normal three-point landing, shortly after touchdown the airplane veered to the left, then veered to the right. The pilot further reported that he applied power in an attempt to regain control, however the airplane veered back to the left and he reduced power as the airplane departed the runway. The airplane ground looped and the right wing impacted terrain causing substantial damage to the right aileron. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3446](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3446), registered now, S/N 3446, built 2012 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BENJAMIN HAROLD E RV-4 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Benjamin Harold E RV-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/benjamin-harold-e-rv-4) (registry code 05631VF) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320-D2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-d2a) (registry code 42150, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 3446 - Year built: 2012 - Airframe hours: 229 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2016 - Departed: 4C4, COLEBROOK, NH - Destination: FIT, Fitchburg, MA - Airport: FIT, Fitchburg Muni, runway 20, 3,504 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Onboard weather, ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 8, 2015; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 837 total, 234 in this make and model, 641 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: KFIT ## 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 20160625006669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160625006669A), Jun 25, 2016: Benjamin Harold E RV-4, Fitchburg, MA, Substantial damage. The pilot with one tandem passenger on board, landed the aircraft at the threshold of runway number 20 at 2010 zulu hours at (fit). Upon roll-out at the… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 20, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93496. 2.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442473&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442475&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Accident Photograph (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 210 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442474&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photograph%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.