Amateur-built EXPERMENTAL RV-4 accident near Fort Drum, Florida, July 4, 2011
On July 4, 2011 at about 12:30 pm local time, a amateur-built EXPERMENTAL RV-4, registered N3226N, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Fort Drum, Florida (Indian Hammock Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 4, 2011 · about 12:30 pm local time
- Place
- Fort Drum, Florida · Indian Hammock Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built EXPERMENTAL RV-4
- Registration
- N3226N · registry record · serial 243
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, during the initial climb, about 30 feet above ground level, the engine experienced a total loss of power. He attempted to land on the remaining runway and avoid a ditch located at the end of the runway. However, the airplane's wing struck the ground, and the airplane came to rest facing the opposite direction of travel. The pilot further reported that he had removed the fuel from the fuel tanks to facilitate recovery. A small area of blight was noted near where the airplane came to rest; however, due to the damage to the engine it could not be conclusively determined if fuel was present. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or abnormalities that would have precluded normal operation. While the airplane was being operated in conditions conducive to serious carburetor icing at glide power, it is not likely that the airplane could have lost engine power during the climb at takeoff power.
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
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
- Abnormal runway contact during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 466 hours in all; 372 in this make and model; 6 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 466 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 7, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 440 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 1, 2011; 6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FL75 Fort Drum FL at 12:30 pm
- Destination: FL75 Fort Drum FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 11, 3,000 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 100° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 12:35 pm from OBE, 19 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.