# NTSB SEA84FA005: Hordemann RV-4, N488RV, Kootenai, ID, October 5, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 5, 1983, 16:50 local (23:50 UTC)
- Place: Kootenai, ID
- Coordinates: 48.310282, -116.51392 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.3103&lon=-116.5139&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39777
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA84FA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39777/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84FA005

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT HE WAS CRUISING AT 11500 MSL WHEN SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE LOWER FORWARD SECTION OF THE COCKPIT AND A FIRE DEVELOPED AROUND HIS FEET. THE ENGINE WAS SHUT DOWN AND THE FIRE SUBSIDED OR WENT OUT. DURING THE GLIDE FOR LANDING THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED AND THE FIRE RETURED. THE PLT EXECUTED A CONTROLLED, FORCED LANDING WITH THE FIRE IN PROGRESS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, cruise - normal
  - engine accessories - fire (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N488RV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N488RV-1989-10-12), registration cancelled 1989-10-12, S/N 88 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HORDEMANN RV-4
- Registry model: [Hordemann John L RV4](https://openairdocs.org/model/hordemann-john-l-rv4) (registry code 05608T3) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 88
- Airframe hours: 10
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John L. Hordemann
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, July 26, 1983, 10 hours before
- Departed: 11WA, SPOKANE, WA
- Airport: runway 1, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 104 total, 12 in this make and model, 42 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GEG, 17 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 19831005068179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831005068179A), Oct 5, 1983: Amtrvn VANSRV4, Rockford, WA, Destroyed. Engine compartment fire erupted burning pilots foot. Crash landed. Fire began near turbo unit in accessory section.

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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