Benjamin Harold E RV-4 N3446

Summary

On 25 June 2016 at about 20:15 local time, a Benjamin Harold E RV-4 registered N3446 was involved in an accident near Fitchburg, Massachusetts, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

25 June 2016 at 20:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Fitchburg, Massachusetts, United States

Nearest airport

Fitchburg Muni (FIT)

Coordinates

42.5539, -71.7592

Aircraft

Benjamin Harold E RV-4

Registration

N3446

Category

Airplane

Year built

2012

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Colebrook → Fitchburg

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA16CA344

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control upon landing, which resulted in a runway excursion followed by impact with terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he made a normal three-point landing, shortly after touchdown the airplane veered to the left, then veered to the right. The pilot further reported that he applied power in an attempt to regain control, however the airplane veered back to the left and he reduced power as the airplane departed the runway. The airplane ground looped and the right wing impacted terrain causing substantial damage to the right aileron. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.