# NTSB MIA88LA148: Henderson RV-4, N51HH, Defuniak Sprngs, FL, April 15, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 15, 1988, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Defuniak Sprngs, FL
- Coordinates: 30.850084, -86.20005 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.8501&lon=-86.2001&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32164
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88LA148
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32164/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA148

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - ignition system,ignition switch - shorted (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - maneuver - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AT AN ALT OF APRX 100 FT WHILE ON A PERSONAL FLT, THE ENG QUIT. THE PLT BANKED THE ACFT TO THE LEFT TO LAND ON A RD BUT LOST CONTROL DURING THE MANEUVER. THE ACFT DESCENDED UNCONTROLLED AND COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN. EXAMINATION OF THE MAGNETO SWITCH REVEALED THAT A STEEL SPRING ON THE INSIDE SHORTED THE BOTH POSITION. THE LT OR RT POSITIONS WERE OPERABLE. THE PLT STATED THAT HE SHOULD HAVE LANDED STRAIGHT AHEAD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51HH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51HH-1989-07-22), registration cancelled 1989-07-22, S/N H00186 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HENDERSON RV-4
- Registry model: [Henderson Harley L HLH RV-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/henderson-harley-l-hlh-rv-4) (registry code 056084W) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: H 001 86
- Airframe hours: 141
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B3B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Henderson, Harley L
- Registered owner: Harley L Henderson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 17, 1988, 18 hours before
- Airport: 54J, De Funiak Springs, runway 27, 3,200 × 60 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,385 total, 107 in this make and model, 1,233 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CEW, 11 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 19880415009399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880415009399A), Apr 15, 1988: Amtrvn VANSRV4, Defuniak Spring, FL, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Turned to line up with a road and lost control. Incorrectly assembled magneto shorted out.

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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