Groce VANS RV-4 N7GJ

Summary

On 1 August 1994 at about 20:15 local time, a Groce VANS RV-4 registered N7GJ, operated by Groce, John L., was involved in an accident near Glendive, Montana, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

1 August 1994 at 20:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Glendive, Montana, United States

Nearest airport

Dawson Community Airport (GDV)

Coordinates

47.1203, -104.8702

Aircraft

Groce VANS RV-4

Registration

N7GJ

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Groce, John L.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA94LA202

1 person died.

AIRSPEED WAS NOT MAINTAINED AFTER TAKEOFF. A FACTOR WAS HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

An airline customer service agent observed the aircraft during takeoff, noting that it was airborne at 10 to 15 feet above the ground and 'not really gaining altitude.' She did not witness the crash. The captain of a commuter flight noted that 'after rotation approx 25' or so, his left wing dipped downward, aircraft seemed under powered. It was hot, Density alt(itude) 5200' lite gusty winds.' The commuter captain did not see the aircraft crash. Witnesses noted that the airplane became airborne in the first quarter of the runway. During on-site inspection, FAA inspectors noted that the aft cockpit was loaded with camping gear, including a tent, campstove, six cans of food, a large clothing bag, camera, headset, and five or six jars, as well as an extensive collection of aviation literature. When the wreckage was inspected, no mechanical discrepancies were noted by FAA personnel.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.