Jerrell RV-4 N44AZ
4 July 1991 · Yellowstonepark, Wyoming, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 4 July 1991 at about 15:00 local time, a Jerrell RV-4 registered N44AZ, operated by Donald A. Jerrell, was involved in an accident near Yellowstonepark, Wyoming, United States. 2 people were on board and one died, 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.
The record
- Date
- at 15:00
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Yellowstonepark, Wyoming, United States
- Coordinates
- 44.5704, -110.5098
- Aircraft
- Jerrell RV-4
- Registration
- N44AZ
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Donald A. Jerrell
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Westyellowstone → Casper
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- SEA91LA154
People
1 person died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Probable cause
A COLLAPSED INDUCTION AIR DUCT. FACTORS INCLUDE INADEQUATE DESIGN BY THE MANUFACTURER/BUILDER, AND A MISJUDGED RATE OF DESCENT BY THE PILOT.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PILOT OF THE RV-4 EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL POWER LOSS, AND RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES WHEN THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE WATER, DURING AN ATTEMPTED EMERGENCY LANDING, NEAR THE SHORELINE OF A LAKE. LATER INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE FOUND THAT THE SCAT TUBING WHICH RAN FROM THE AIR INTAKE FILTER TO THE FUEL INJECTOR BODY, WAS ROUTED IN A MANNER THAT CAUSED THE INTERNAL WIRE SUPPORT TO BE DISPLACED, ALLOWING THE TUBING WALLS TO COLLAPSE. THIS CONDITION REDUCED THE INDUCTION AIRFLOW TO THE ENGINE.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Jerrell RV-4 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 May 1996 | Jerrell RV-4 | Englewood, Colorado, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 May 1991 | Grumman AA-1B | Douglas, Wyoming, United States | Paul E. Kacak | Fatal | 1 |
| 16 May 1991 | Beechcraft A36 | Rawlins, Wyoming, United States | John L. Ronacher | No injuries | - |
| 25 Jan 1991 | Piper PA-34 | Pinedale, Wyoming, United States | Department of Interior | No injuries | - |
| 22 May 1991 | Piper PA-22 | Laramie, Wyoming, United States | Donald L. Burrows | Minor injuries | - |
| 16 Oct 1991 | Maule M-5-235C | Moran, Wyoming, United States | - | Fatal | 3 |
| 21 May 1991 | Cessna 172P | Alva, Wyoming, United States | Gillette Air Inc | No injuries | - |