# NTSB LAX89DUJ04: Lehman/Jerrell Vans RV-4, N44ME, Tucson, AZ, January 22, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: January 22, 1989, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Tucson, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.329036, -110.980712 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3290&lon=-110.9807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26130
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89DUJ04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26130/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89DUJ04

## Probable cause

POOR JUDGEMENT BY THE PILOT IN ATTEMPTING AND THEN IMPROPERLY PERFORMING AN AEROBATIC MANEUVER AFTER TAKEOFF, RESULTING IN A STALL/SPIN TO THE GROUND.

## 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
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL FLIGHT JUST AFTER TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED TO FLY THE LENGTH OF THE RUNWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 5-7 FEET AGL. AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY, THE AIRPLANE WENT INTO A STEEP CLIMB TO 200-300 FEET AGL THEN ROLLED TO THE LEFT. THE NOSE PITCHED DOWN AND THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED IN A SPIN UNTIL COLLISION WITH THE TERRAIN. NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS OF THE AIRPLANE WAS FOUND. THE ACFT HAD A TOTAL FLT TIME OF 119 HOURS. THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN CERTIFIED ON 8/20/88. THE PILOT WAS ALSO THE OWNER OF THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N44ME](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44ME-2013-06-04), registration cancelled 2013-06-04, S/N 397 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LEHMAN/JERRELL VANS RV-4
- Registry model: [Lehman Douglas RV 4](https://openairdocs.org/model/lehman-douglas-rv-4) (registry code 05608AS) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 397
- Airframe hours: 119
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lehman Douglas
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 20, 1988, 119 hours before
- Airport: 40E, Lacholla Airpark, runway 19, 3,400 × 36 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 300 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 2° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUS, 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 19890122000929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890122000929A), Jan 22, 1989: Amtrvn VANSRV4, Tucson, AZ, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Held down low after takeoff, pulled up steeply at end of runway. Rolled over and dived into ground.

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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