W S Bowers Jr RV-4 N741WB

Summary

On 10 October 1998 at about 21:11 local time, a W S Bowers Jr RV-4 registered N741WB, operated by Robert Christopher Oleksa, was involved in an accident near Apopka, Florida, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

10 October 1998 at 21:11

Classification

Accident

Location

Apopka, Florida, United States

Coordinates

28.6798, -81.5099

Aircraft

W S Bowers Jr RV-4

Registration

N741WB

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Robert Christopher Oleksa

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Zellwood → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL99LA007

2 people died.

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while performing aerobatics which resulted in the lost of control and a stall/spin. A contributing factor was the low altitude at which the maneuver was performed.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Witnesses located in the immediate vicinity of the accident site observed the airplane as it entered a loop type maneuver at a low altitude. As the airplane entered the bottom of the maneuver, proper airspeed was not maintained, the airplane became erratic, and collided with the ground in a nose low attitude. According to witnesses, the engine continued to operate throughout the maneuver. The fuel selector was found in the on position, and the fuel tanks appeared to be ruptured from impact. Examination of the airframe and engine failed to disclose a mechanial problem with the airplane. The toxicology examinations performed on the pilot were negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, ethanol, and drugs.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.