Amateur-built RV 4 accident near Marathon, Texas, March 23, 2015
On March 23, 2015 at about 2:50 pm local time, a 1994 amateur-built RV 4, registered N945RV, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Marathon, Texas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 23, 2015 · about 2:50 pm local time
- Place
- Marathon, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV 4, built 1994
- Registration
- N945RV · no longer on the register · serial 945
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, during takeoff climb, the engine sputtered, followed by a total loss of power. The pilot executed a forced landing into a field, and the airplane impacted a fence and nosed over. A postaccident examination of the fuel system, engine, and cockpit controls revealed no evidence of any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during initial climb defining event
- Roll over during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Fence/fence post › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 14,000 hours in all; 178 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 11,000 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 1, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rear
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 900 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 8, 2013
- Maximum gross weight: 1,700 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming 0-320 SERIES (piston); 1,085 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 6TE2 Marathon TX at 2:45 pm
- Destination: KTYR Tyler TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from KFST, 45 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.