Van's RV4 N345DL

Summary

On 15 April 2021 at about 19:58 local time, a Van's RV4 registered N345DL was involved in an accident near Oljato-Monument Valley, Utah, United States. One person was on board and one 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

15 April 2021 at 19:58

Classification

Accident

Location

Oljato-Monument Valley, Utah, United States

Nearest airport

Monument Valley (UT25)

Coordinates

37.0175, -110.2022

Aircraft

Van's RV4

Registration

N345DL

Category

Airplane

Year built

1994

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Sedona → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR21LA176

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while compensating for a downdraft during landing, which resulted in the airplane touching down short of the runway on soft terrain and nosing over.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, as he approached the airport, he noted there was turbulence, and that the windsock was indicating light winds. While on the short-final leg of the traffic pattern for runway 16, the airplane encountered a downdraft. The airplane’s sink rate increased and in response, the pilot applied full engine power. Despite his attempt to arrest the descent, the airplane touched down about 200 ft before the runway in soft terrain. The airplane nosed over coming to rest inverted. Both wings were substantially damaged.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.