# NTSB NYC86FGM05: Bomberger Vans RV-4, N86AB, Friedens, PA, July 30, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: July 30, 1986, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Friedens, PA
- Coordinates: 40.039413, -79.000892 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0394&lon=-79.0009&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30211
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86FGM05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30211/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86FGM05

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

DUE TO A LOW CEILING AND POOR VISIBILITY, THE PLT DECIDED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING AT SOMERSET ARPT. UNABLE TO LOCATE THE ARPT, A LANDING WAS BEING MADE TO A FIELD WHEN THE ACFT STALLED INTO TREES DURING THE APPROACH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N86AB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N86AB-1989-01-05), registration cancelled 1989-01-05, S/N 906 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOMBERGER VANS RV-4
- Registry model: [Bomberger Arthur L RV-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/bomberger-arthur-l-rv-4) (registry code 056082W) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 906
- Airframe hours: 35
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Arthur L. Bomberger
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 14, 1986, 10 hours before
- Departed: SCHAEFFERSTOWN, PA
- Destination: OSHKOSH, WI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 70 total, 36 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 13 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft unknown
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: JST, 19 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 19860730036649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860730036649A), Jul 30, 1986: Amtrvn VANSRV4, Friedens, PA, Destroyed. Stalled while trying to land in a field due to deteriorating weather. Struck trees and 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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