# NTSB NYC90DNA01: Smeesters RV-4, N671RS, North Andover, MA, October 5, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: October 5, 1989, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: North Andover, MA
- Location: 42.7170° N, 71.1235° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at LAWRENCE MUNI (LWM), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7170&lon=-71.1235&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36502
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90DNA01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36502/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90DNA01

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL DURING THE RESULTANT FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,ram air/induction air - blocked(total) (cause)
  - aircraft protective covering - not identified, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - stall/spin - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER THE HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE DEPARTED, THE PILOT TOLD THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER THAT THE ENGINE HAD QUIT AND HE WAS RETURNING TO THE AIRPORT TO LAND. A GROUND WITNESS OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE AS IT APPROACHED THE RUNWAY. HE STATED THE AIRPLANE ROLLED TO THE LEFT, PITCHED NOSE DOWN AND DESCENDED INTO THE TERRAIN NEAR THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY.  AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PILOT DID NOT REMOVE A FOAM PLUG FROM THE CARBURETOR INLET DUCT BEFORE FLIGHT.  SUBSEQUENTLY, THIS RESULTED IN A RESTRICTION OF AIRFLOW TO THE CARBURETOR AND LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N671RS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N671RS-1990-04-27), registration cancelled 1990-04-27, S/N 671 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SMEESTERS RV-4
- Registry model: [Smeesters Robert F RV-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/smeesters-robert-f-rv-4) (registry code 05612CZ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 671
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert F. Smeesters
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 14, 1989, 11 hours before
- Airport: LWM, Lawrence

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: front; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LWM

## 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 19891005038889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891005038889A), Oct 5, 1989: Amtr RV4, Lawrence, MA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Report engine quit. Was returnig. Stalled short final. Burned on impact. Foam plug on carb air duct not removed.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.