# NTSB NYC93LA091: Homer Davis RV4, N22DD, Danville, VA, April 24, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 24, 1993, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Danville, VA
- Coordinates: 36.630252, -79.42926 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6303&lon=-79.4293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 19, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37316
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37316/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA091

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO A STUCK CARBURETOR NEEDLE VALVE; SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING IN UNSUITABLE TERRAIN, AND IMPACT WITH A TREE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,carburetor - output low (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER COMPLETING A 360 DEGREE TURN AND RETURNING TO LEVEL FLIGHT THE AIRCRAFT'S ENGINE LOST POWER.  THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD.  THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN IN A FIELD AND STRUCK A TREE. EXAMINATION OF THE CARBURETOR REVEALED THAT THE NEEDLE VALVE WAS INTERMITTENTLY STICKING ON THE SEAT.  FURTHER EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE SPRING WIRE CLIP ON THE NEEDLE VALVE WAS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO OPEN UP THE VALVE WHEN IT GOT STUCK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N22DD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N22DD), registered now, S/N 1650 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HOMER DAVIS RV4
- Registry model: [Davis Homer D VANS RV 4](https://openairdocs.org/model/davis-homer-d-vans-rv-4) (registry code 05608BJ) (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: 1650
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: H. Dan Davis
- Registered owner: H. Dan Davis
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Departed: DAN
- Destination: DAN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 249 total, 137 in this make and model, 168 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19930424010409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930424010409A), Apr 24, 1993: Amtrvn VANSRV4, Danville, VA, Substantial damage. Lost power. Struck tree on forced landing. Carburetor needle valve sticking on seat. Wire clip too weak to unstick.

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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