# NTSB SEA99LA111: Walentine RV4, N9233A, Creswell, OR, July 8, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 8, 1999, 16:15 local (23:15 UTC) - Place: Creswell, OR - Coordinates: 43.899021, -123.020225 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.8990&lon=-123.0202&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 3, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46795 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA99LA111 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46795/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99LA111 ## Probable cause A foreign material/substance was ingested into the carburetor which resulted in a power loss. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - fuel system,carburetor - foreign material/substance (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - none suitable ## Analysis The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, the engine lost 80 to 90 percent power. The pilot initiated a forced landing in a hay field where, during the landing roll, the airplane was substantially damaged. During the engine inspection, a small piece of the alternator belt was found ingested into the carburetor. The pilot reported that the carburetor heat was on at the time of the power loss. ## Factual narrative On July 8, 1999, at 1615 Pacific daylight time, a homebuilt RV4, N9233A, registered to and operated by the second pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, initiated a forced landing to an open field shortly after takeoff from Hobby Field, Creswell, Oregon, after the engine experienced a loss of power. The aircraft landed hard and was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The flight instructor and private pilot were not injured. In a written statement, the flight instructor reported that he was seated in the rear seat with the non-current private pilot in the front seat. The flight instructor stated that the private pilot was practicing touch-and-go landings. During the takeoff from the fourth landing, the flight instructor reported that the engine lost 80 to 90 percent power. The flight instructor stated that he took control of the aircraft and made a right turn to avoid power lines and landed the aircraft in a hay field located about 2,000 yards north of the airstrip. During the post-accident engine inspection, a small piece of the alternator belt was found ingested into the carburetor. The flight instructor reported that the carburetor heat was on at the time of the power loss. ## Aircraft - Registration: N9233A (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: WALENTINE RV4 - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1239A - Airframe hours: 350 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John Bigelow - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 18, 1997, 125 hours before - Departed: 77S - Airport: 77S, Hobby Field, runway 33, 3,100 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 4,000 total, 125 in this make and model, 3,900 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 15 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: EUG, 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 19990708018089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990708018089A), Jul 8, 1999: Amtr RV4, Creswell, OR, Substantial damage. (.19)On July 8, 1999, at 1615 pacific daylight time, a homebuilt RV4, N9233A, registered to and operted by the second pilot as a 14 CFR 91 personal flight,… 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.