Fritz RV3-A accident near Greencastle, IN
On March 7, 2009, a Fritz RV3-A (airplane) was involved in an accident near Greencastle, IN. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- March 7, 2009
- Place
- Greencastle, IN
- Aircraft
- Fritz RV3-A · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 39.634°N, 86.814°W
- NTSB ID
- 20090309X25653
Official records · CEN09LA196
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
On March 7, 2009, about 1030 eastern standard time, N933WF, an experimental amateur-built Fritz RV3-A, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power on initial climb from the Putnam County Airport (4I7), near Greencastle, Indiana. The private pilot was seriously injured, was hospitalized, and subsequently died while hospitalized on March 26, 2009. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was on file for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight originated from 4I7 and was destined for the Hendricks County Airport-Gordon Graham Field (2R2), near Indianapolis, Indiana. The airport manager at 4I7 reported that the accident pilot “departed the field at approximately 1030 without requesting or receiving any services. Nothing looked abnormal to me during his takeoff.” According to eyewitness statements, the airplane was descending while banking and the engine was "quiet, low RPM." The airplane lost altitude, the bank angle increased to 90 degrees, the engine revved, and the airplane impacted terrain nose down. According to one of the witnesses it appeared that the pilot was trying to land with an engine problem. The witnesses drove to the accident site and talked to the pilot. The pilot reportedly indicated that he had a fuel pressure problem and engine problems. One of the witnesses stated that the engine was running at impact. The pilot reportedly said that he was flying from 2R2 for breakfast at 4I7. The smell of fuel was present at the accident site and when asked, the pilot indic
Probable cause
A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the emergency descent.
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Browse: Indiana
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
