# NTSB LAX86FVD01: Lewis-Pexton RV-4, N489R, Sonoma, CA, November 3, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: November 2, 1985, 16:00 local (Nov 3, 1985, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Sonoma, CA
- Coordinates: 38.240531, -122.460342 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2405&lon=-122.4603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24967
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FVD01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24967/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FVD01

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED INTO THE GROUND FROM ABOUT 250 FT AFTER A STALL FOLLOWING A DIVE & LEVEL OFF. TWO WITNESSES SAW THE ACC AND ONE BELIEVED THE PLT WAS LOOKING FOR HIM OR TRYING TO GET HIS ATTENTION BECAUSE THE PLT KNEW THE WITNESS' TRUCK AND WHERE HE WOULD BE. BOTH WITNESSES SAID THAT THE ACFT WENT 'STRAIGHT IN' TO THE GROUND. ONE ESTIMATED THE STARTING HEIGHT OF THE FATAL DIVE AT 250 FT, WITH THE WINGS ROCKING UP & DOWN. THE OTHER SAID IT APPEARED TO BE AT ABOUT 300-400 FT AGL COMING OUT OF A TURN WHEN IT THEN JUST WENT 'STRAIGHT IN'.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N489R (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: LEWIS-PEXTON RV-4
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 489
- Airframe hours: 60
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Randall Charles Pexton
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, August 7, 1985, 21 hours before
- Departed: 009, SONOMA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 115 total, 28 in this make and model, 28 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19851102057689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851102057689A), Nov 2, 1985: Amtrvn VANSRV4, Sonoma, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft seen in a spin to ground impact. No mechanical malfunction found.

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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