Stafford RV-4 N84PS

Summary

On 1 April 1996 at about 21:49 local time, a Stafford RV-4 registered N84PS, operated by William J. Mansfield, was involved in an accident near Longmont, Colorado, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

1 April 1996 at 21:49

Classification

Accident

Location

Longmont, Colorado, United States

Nearest airport

Vance Brand (2V2)

Coordinates

40.1706, -105.1107

Aircraft

Stafford RV-4

Registration

N84PS

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

William J. Mansfield

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Greeley → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW96LA158

2 people had minor injuries.

the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparation in that he failed to ensure the aircraft had sufficient fuel to complete the flight. A factor was the soft terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Upon arriving at the destination airport from a local cross country flight, the pilot performed three touch and go landings. While on the crosswind leg of the fourth pattern circuit, which was to culminate in a full stop landing, the engine lost power and the pilot made an emergency landing in a plowed field. During the landing roll, one main landing gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over. The flight originated with 11 gallons of fuel on board, and the duration of the flight was 54 minutes. According to the pertinent Lycoming engine chart, the fuel consumption at 75 percent power (2,450 rpm) is 10.5 gallons per hour. A review of the pilot's aero/medical data revealed him to be non-current in flight proficiency and medical certification.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.