Makela RV-4 accident near Oregonia, OH
On October 16, 2016, a Makela RV-4 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Oregonia, OH. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- October 16, 2016
- Place
- Oregonia, OH
- Aircraft
- Makela RV-4 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 39.398°N, 84.102°W
- NTSB ID
- 20161016X94347
Official records · CEN17FA016
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn October 16, 2016, at 1740 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Makela RV-4, N2626C, collided with a zipline cable and terrain while maneuvering at low altitude in Oregonia, Ohio. The private pilot and the pilot-rated passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a postimpact fire. The airplane was registered to the pilot and was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight, which originated from a private airstrip in Wilmington, Ohio, about 1708. Several witnesses in various locations reported seeing the airplane flying at low altitude before the accident. Witnesses near the accident site reported that the airplane was traveling south along the river. One witness estimated that the airplane was about 30 ft above the river, and another estimated that it was about 50 ft above the tree tops. Both witnesses reported the engine sounded "strong" and at "full power." One witness momentarily lost sight of the airplane; when it came back into view, the airplane descended into the trees. PERSONNEL INFORMATIONThe pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land, which was issued on September 6, 2008. The pilot was issued a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) third-class airman medical certificate on July 17, 2013. At the time of his most recent medical application, the pilot reported that he had accumulated 300 total hours of flight experience
Probable cause
The pilot's decision to fly at a low altitude, which resulted in the collision with a zipline.
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Browse: Ohio
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
