Amateur-built RV-4 accident near Jonesboro, Arkansas, May 15, 2002
On May 15, 2002 at about 10:38 pm local time, a amateur-built RV-4, registered N437BN, was substantially damaged in an accident near Jonesboro, Arkansas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 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 loss of engine power for an undetermined reason.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 15, 2002 · about 10:38 pm local time
- Place
- Jonesboro, Arkansas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV-4
- Registration
- N437BN · no longer on the register · serial 2503
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The homebuilt single-engine airplane impacted terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power in cruise flight. Local authorities and the FAA inspector, who responded to the site, reported that physical evidence was consistent with a post-impact fire that erupted and destroyed the inboard left wing area and the front cockpit. The integrity of the fuel system was comprised. The fuel selector was found on the right tank. Approximately 1/2 ounce of fuel was found in the right fuel tank sump, and the left tank was full. The FAA inspector found no mechanical discrepancies that would have precluded operation of the airplane prior to impact. The toxicology results were positive for 0.084 (ug/ml, ug/g) Diphenhydramine [antihistamine] detected in the blood and non-quantified Diphenhydramine present in the urine.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 5,800 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 1,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-A2A (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: 69M Jonesboro AR at 10:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 25,000 ft; a few clouds at 15,000 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 pm from JBR
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.