# NTSB IAD97LA076: Dresbach RV-4, N61CD, Bainbridge, OH, May 26, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 26, 1997, 11:44 local (15:44 UTC) - Place: Bainbridge, OH - Coordinates: 39.219821, -83.260536 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2198&lon=-83.2605&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report April 15, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28196 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD97LA076 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28196/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD97LA076 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane during the initial climb after takeoff. The pilot's physiological conditions was a possible factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - physiological condition, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis Witnesses reported that they observed the airplane make a normal takeoff. According to them, after starting to climb, the airplane entered a descent and crashed. They reported seeing the airplane in a right-wing low position before it impacted the ground in a nose down attitude. Examination of the airplane and the engine did not reveal any abnormalities. The pilot's last log book entry was dated 11/22/95. On 11/29/95, he had coronary artery bypass surgery. On 5/15/97, the FAA Aeromedical Certification Division denied the pilot a medical certificate 'due to objective evidence of myocardial ischemia by radionuclide scintigraphy.' An autopsy report of the pilot noted 'minimal cardiac tissue' for examination. Toxicology testing detected unspecified levels of metoprolol (a medication which reduces the heart rate response to stress) in the pilot's blood and liver fluid. ## Factual narrative On May 26, 1997, at 1144 eastern daylight time, N61CD, a Dresbach RV-4, a homebuilt airplane, was destroyed when it collided with terrain after takeoff from the Haas Airport, Bainbridge, Ohio. The certificated private pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The flight had originated from the Ross County Airport, Chillicothe, Ohio. The pilot was attending a fly-in breakfast at Bainbridge. He took off from a 1,900 foot long, grass strip. Witnesses reported that they observed the takeoff, and it seemed normal. They said that about 200 to 300 feet above the ground with the engine operating, the right wing of the airplane dropped down in a roll type maneuver, the nose pitched down, and the airplane struck the ground in a nose down attitude. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Safety Inspector, examination of the wreckage after the accident did not reveal any pre-impact failure of the airplane flight controls or engine. Examination of the pilot's log book revealed that the last entry was dated November 22, 1995. According to the pilot's medical records, he underwent coronary artery bypass surgery on November 29, 1995. He was on Lopressor (metoprolol) 25 mg a day in June of 1996. His application for a third class medical certificate on June 27, 1996, was deferred by his Aviation Medical Examiner, and ultimately denied by the FAA Aeromedical Certification Division on May 15, 1997, "due to objective evidence of myocardial ischemia by radionuclide scintigraphy." He did not have a current medical certificate at the time of the accident. An autopsy of the pilot was performed by Dr. John Gabis, Coroner, Chillicothe, Ohio, on May 27, 1997. Toxicological testing was conducted by the FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute (CAMI), in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The report stated that metoprolol was detected in blood and liver fluid. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N61CD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N61CD-1999-01-27), registration cancelled 1999-01-27, S/N 1652 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DRESBACH RV-4 - Registry model: [Dresbach Irwin W RV-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/dresbach-irwin-w-rv-4) (registry code 05608MH) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1652 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Irwin W Dresbach - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 4, 1996 - Departed: RZT, CHILLICOTHE, OH - Airport: 9I5, Haas, runway 13, 1,920 × 90 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 561 total, 75 in this make and model, 491 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CMH, 60 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 19970526011789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970526011789A), May 26, 1997: Amtr RV4, Bainbridge, OH, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Rolled and nosed down on climbout. Impacted in a dive. Pilot had recent bypass surgery. Further eshemia possible. (-23) RV-4..N61CD departed Bainbridge, OH,… 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.