Amateur-built VANS RV 4 and amateur-built RV4 mid-air collision near Green Cove Springs, Florida, May 29, 2019
On May 29, 2019 at about 2:45 pm local time, 2 aircraft, amateur-built VANS RV 4 (N319RL) and amateur-built RV4 (N203DD), were involved in a mid-air collision near Green Cove Springs, Florida. 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of each pilot to maintain separation from the other airplane during intentional maneuvers within close proximity of each other.
The failure of each pilot to maintain separation from the other airplane during intentional maneuvers within close proximity of each other.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 29, 2019 · about 2:45 pm local time
- Place
- Green Cove Springs, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident · mid-air collision
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Amateur-built VANS RV 4 Undesignat, built 2008
- Registration
- N319RL · registry record · serial 1807
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Amateur-built RV4 Undesignat, built 2000
- Registration
- N203DD · no longer on the register · serial 2285
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the amateur-built VANS RV 4 final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot of the yellow airplane, the purpose of the flight was to check the accuracy of his airspeed indicator while flying alongside the red airplane. After completing the airspeed indicator check, the pilots of both airplanes began to conduct flight maneuvers that the pilot of the yellow airplane referred to as a “tail chase.” After a few minutes of maneuvering and one visual lead change to the red airplane, both airplanes were on a southerly heading. The pilot of the yellow airplane called off the “tail chase” and made a gradual left turn, then a few banked heading changes to the northeast before settling on an easterly heading in a gradual descent. He stated that, while descending, he suddenly saw the red airplane directly in front of him, nose-to-nose. The airplanes collided, and he saw the red airplane descend to the ground. The pilot of the yellow airplane noted that his airplane was vibrating violently and he made a forced landing in a pasture. Examination of the wreckage area revealed that the red airplane came to rest 4 miles northwest of the departure airport. The yellow airplane came to rest 2 miles east-northeast of the red airplane and about 5 miles north of the departure airport. Examination of the yellow airplane revealed red paint transfer marks on a 6-inch-deep, 17-inch-wide semicircle on the leading edge of the left wing. There were also red paint transfers on the lower outboard section of the right-wing leading edge. Examination of the red airplane revealed yellow paint transfers on the lower part of the rudder. A 3-ft tire skid mark was found on top of the empennage and ended at the vertical stabilizer. Examination of the flight controls and engines of both airplanes did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Toxicological testing of tissue samples from the pilot of the red airplane indicated that he had taken some cough and cold medications. From the levels of the substances observed in tissue samples, it could not be determined if, or to what extent, the pilot may have been impaired by them. The pilots of the airplanes were intentionally maneuvering their airplanes within close proximity to each other. After losing sight of each other, the pilots then unintentionally maneuvered the airplanes such that they approached each other nearly head-on and collided.
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 NTSB's narrative for the amateur-built RV4 final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot of the yellow airplane, the purpose of the flight was to check the accuracy of his airspeed indicator while flying alongside the red airplane. After completing the airspeed indicator check, the pilots of both airplanes began to conduct flight maneuvers that the pilot of the yellow airplane referred to as a “tail chase.” After a few minutes of maneuvering and one visual lead change to the red airplane, both airplanes were on a southerly heading. The pilot of the yellow airplane called off the “tail chase” and made a gradual left turn, then a few banked heading changes to the northeast before settling on an easterly heading in a gradual descent. He stated that, while descending, he suddenly saw the red airplane directly in front of him, nose-to-nose. The airplanes collided, and he saw the red airplane descend to the ground. The pilot of the yellow airplane noted that his airplane was vibrating violently and he made a forced landing in a pasture. Examination of the wreckage area revealed that the red airplane came to rest 4 miles northwest of the departure airport. The yellow airplane came to rest 2 miles east-northeast of the red airplane and about 5 miles north of the departure airport. Examination of the yellow airplane revealed red paint transfer marks on a 6-inch-deep, 17-inch-wide semicircle on the leading edge of the left wing. There were also red paint transfers on the lower outboard section of the right-wing leading edge. Examination of the red airplane revealed yellow paint transfers on the lower part of the rudder. A 3-ft tire skid mark was found on top of the empennage and ended at the vertical stabilizer. Examination of the flight controls and engines of both airplanes did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Toxicological testing of tissue samples from the pilot of the red airplane indicated that he had taken some cough and cold medications. From the levels of the substances observed in tissue samples, it could not be determined if, or to what extent, the pilot may have been impaired by them. The pilots of the airplanes were intentionally maneuvering their airplanes within close proximity to each other. After losing sight of each other, the pilots then unintentionally maneuvered the airplanes such that they approached each other nearly head-on and collided.
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 for the amateur-built VANS RV 4 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Midair collision during maneuvering (aerobatics) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › Flight planning/navigation › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,800 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lennon/Woolley Exprimental O-360 A1B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 7FL4 Green Cove Springs FL at 2:30 pm
- Destination: 7FL4 Green Cove Springs FL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 91°F (33°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 3:15 pm from K28J, 13 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
The factual record for the amateur-built RV4 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Midair collision during maneuvering (aerobatics) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › Flight planning/navigation › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 20,071 hours in all; 1,968 in this make and model; 18 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 9,342 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 30, 2018
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Exprimental O-360-A1A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 7FL4 Green Cove Springs FL at 2:30 pm
- Destination: 7FL4 Green Cove Springs FL
- Flight plan: none
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check 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.