# NTSB SEA95LA149: Edwin J. Estenson RV-4, N90EE, Elk River, ID, July 15, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1995, 07:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Elk River, ID
- Coordinates: 46.770809, -116.189422 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.7708&lon=-116.1894&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42191
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA149
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42191/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA149

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.  THE TALL VEGETATION WAS A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence

## Analysis

DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE VEERED TO THE LEFT AND INTO THE TALL GRASS ALONGSIDE THE AIRSTRIP. THE PILOT TRIED TO CORRECT WITH RIGHT RUDDER CONTROL AND POWER; HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED OFF THE AIRSTRIP, THROUGH THE TALL GRASS AND COLLIDED WITH A FENCE. THE AIRGUIDE INDICATES THAT THE RUNWAY IS 150 FEET WIDE; HOWEVER, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE GRASS HAD BEEN MOWED TO ONLY A 21 FOOT WIDTH. THE REMAINING AREA AROUND THE AIRSTRIP WAS TALL GRASS.

## Factual narrative

On July 15, 1995, at 0745 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Edwin J. Estenson RV-4, N90EE, collided with a fence, after the pilot lost control of the airplane during the landing roll at the Elk River Airstrip, Elk River, Idaho.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.  The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot and his pilot rated passenger were not injured.  The flight had originated from Walla Walla, Washington, on July 15, 1995, at 0650, for a personal flight.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that he was landing on runway 17, which is a combination gravel and grass airstrip.  The pilot stated that after touch down, the airplane inadvertently veered to the left and into tall grass along side the airstrip.  The pilot tried to correct with right rudder control and power, however, the airplane continued off the airstrip, through the grass, and collided with a fence.

The Idaho Airguide for the Elk River Airport indicates that the runway is 2,600 feet long and 150 feet wide.  The pilot reported that the grass had been mowed short to allow an approximate 21 foot width.  The remaining area was tall grass.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90EE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90EE-2013-07-29), registration cancelled 2013-07-29, S/N 2152, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: EDWIN J. ESTENSON RV-4
- Registry model: [Estenson Edwin J RV-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/estenson-edwin-j-rv-4) (registry code 05608RP) (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: 2152
- Airframe hours: 219
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D1A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Edwin J. Estenson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 22, 1994, 30 hours before
- Departed: ALW, WALLA WALLA, WA
- Airport: S91, Elk River, runway 17, 2,600 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 342 total, 192 in this make and model, 267 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 19950715018769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950715018769A), Jul 15, 1995: Amtr RV4, Elk River, ID, Substantial damage. Veered off grass and dirt strip on landing. Struck a fence.

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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