Mclarty VANS RV-4 accident near Apex, NC
On May 14, 2000, a Mclarty VANS RV-4 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Apex, NC. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- May 14, 2000
- Place
- Apex, NC
- Aircraft
- Mclarty VANS RV-4 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 35.733°N, 78.850°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001212X21068
Official records · MIA00LA153
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
On May 14, 2000, at about 1315 eastern daylight time, a Mclarty Vans RV-4, N45DR, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed after takeoff from a private airport. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot and one passenger were transported to a local hospital, and died during treatment. The flight was originating from Apex, North Carolina, at the time of the accident. The brother of the deceased pilot stated his brother conducted and engine run-up and magneto check. The engine sounded a little rough but smoothed out. The airplane was observed on the takeoff roll, became airborne and started a shallow left turn over the trees. He heard a sound like the engine backfired, observed black smoke, and watched the airplane until it disappeared from view behind the trees. He ran to the crash site and saw the airplane adjacent to road. The airplane had collided with trees and was located on the opposite side of a ditch. A witness stated he was in his house looking out his window when he saw a blue and white airplane. The airplane was in a 45-degree nose-high attitude over the trees, and he did not hear any engine noise. It did not appear as if the pilot had control of the airplane. It came down like a tree that was falling. The airplane hit the ground wings level with the fuselage intact and slid about 10 feet, missing a tree head on before it came to a complete stop in his front yard. He ran to the airplane to assist. He observed two victims that
Probable cause
The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed resulting in an inadvertent stall and subsequent collision with terrain.
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Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
