# NTSB NYC85FGM05: James Postlewait RV-4, N85JP, Zelienople, PA, August 2, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 2, 1985, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Zelienople, PA
- Coordinates: 40.779045, -80.139137 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7790&lon=-80.1391&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35596
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85FGM05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35596/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85FGM05

## 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
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

A WITNESS REPORTED THAT WHEN THE ACFT WAS DEPARTING, THE TAKEOFF RUN & BEGINNING OF THE CLIMB APPEARED TO BE NORMAL. HOWEVER, AT ABOUT 300 TO 400 FT AGL, THE LEFT WING DROPPED & THE ACFT PIVOTED TO THE LEFT, THEN THE PLANE CRASHED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN DESCENT. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N85JP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N85JP-2013-06-12), registration cancelled 2013-06-12, S/N 105, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: JAMES POSTLEWAIT RV-4
- Registry model: [Postlewait James RV-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/postlewait-james-rv-4) (registry code 05608X7) (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: 105
- Airframe hours: 125
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James Postlewait
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, May 31, 1985, 97 hours before
- Destination: BTP, BUTLER, PA
- Airport: Zelienople Muni, runway 35, 4,560 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, unknown; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,500 total, 125 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19850802035999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850802035999A), Aug 2, 1985: Amtrvn VANSRV4, Zelienople, PA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Stalled about 400 feet above runway after takeoff. Near vertical impact with ground and fire followed.

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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