# NTSB MIA88LA221: Hahn RV-4, N144TH, Zellwood, FL, July 13, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 13, 1988, 19:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Zellwood, FL
- Coordinates: 28.730131, -81.599189 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.7301&lon=-81.5992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32211
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88LA221
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32211/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA221

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - maintenance,adjustment - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - ignition system,magneto - not secured (cause)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - powerplant controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose down, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)

## Analysis

FLT EXPERIENCED ROUGH RUNNING ENGINE AND LOSS OF POWER. AS ACFT WAS TURNED TOWARD AGRICULTURAL STRIP FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING THE ENGINE FAILED COMPLETELY. THE PLT TOUCHED DOWN SHORT OF THE RUNWAY AND BOGGED DOWN IN TALL GRASS AND MUCK CAUSING COLLAPSE OF THE LANDING GEAR. THE ACFT CAME TO REST ON IT'S NOSE. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE LEFT MAGNETO WHICH HAD BEEN TIMED .7 FLT HOURS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT WAS LOOSE AND TURNED IN THE MOUNT. THE MAGNETO WAS STILL TOUCHING THE CASE MAKING A GROUND CONNECTION AND THE 'P' LEAD WAS STILL ATTACHED. THE RIGHT MAGNETO WAS FOUND SECURED PROPERLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N144TH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N144TH-1994-06-09), registration cancelled 1994-06-09, S/N 793 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HAHN RV-4
- Registry model: [Hahn Thomas C RV-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/hahn-thomas-c-rv-4) (registry code 056085R) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 793
- Airframe hours: 177
- Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-320-E2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas C. Hahn
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 8, 1988
- Departed: ORL, ORLANDO, FL
- Airport: Lust Airport, runway 36, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 2,224 total, 12 in this make and model, 2,022 as pilot in command, 85 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCO, 24 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 19880713054729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880713054729A), Jul 13, 1988: Amtrvn VANSRV4, Zellwood, FL, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on local flight. Nosed up on forced landing short of rwy. Left magneto came loose. Stripped gears.

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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