# NTSB MKC85FCD01: Joel K. Senter RV-4, N4703S, Jefferson, IA, June 16, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: June 16, 1985, 17:35 local (22:35 UTC)
- Place: Jefferson, IA
- Coordinates: 42.010215, -94.369064 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0102&lon=-94.3691&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33859
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85FCD01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33859/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85FCD01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - remedial action - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - crop

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED OUT OF CONTROL AFTER & LOW ALT DEMONSTRATION PASSES ABOVE RWY AT ABOUT 50 FT AGL. AFTER THE LAST PASS, A LOW AIRSPEED MANEUVER. THE PLT EXECUTED A STEEP TURN AND DESCENDED IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE TO GROUND IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4703S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4703S-1985-06-16), registration cancelled 1985-06-16, S/N 359, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: JOEL K. SENTER RV-4
- Registry model: [Senter Joel K RV-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/senter-joel-k-rv-4) (registry code 05608W9) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 339
- Airframe hours: 84
- Engines: LYCOMING O- 320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joel K. Senter
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, August 17, 1984, 60 hours before
- Departed: EFW, JEFFERSON, IA
- Destination: EFW, JEFFERSON, IA
- Airport: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 147 total, 84 in this make and model, 114 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 7 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 81 °F

## 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 19850616025359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850616025359A), Jun 16, 1985: Amtrvn VANSRV4, Jefferson, IA, Destroyed. After low speed low altitude pass aircraft made a steep bank and descended nose low to 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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