Amateur-built RV-4 accident near Burgaw, North Carolina, November 26, 2001
On November 26, 2001 at about 8:30 pm local time, a amateur-built RV-4, registered N15VP, was substantially damaged in an accident near Burgaw, North Carolina (Stag Air Park airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 26, 2001 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Burgaw, North Carolina · Stag Air Park · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV-4
- Registration
- N15VP · registry record · serial 1793
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that he reduced power to idle upon entering a left downwind for runway 29, and at that time the engine ceased operating. He stated that he attempted to restart the engine, while switching fuel tanks, and turning the boost pump of, and then on again, since it had been on during the entire flight. He said the engine did not start, and during the forced landing the aircraft collided with some trees at the end of the runway. An FAA inspector stated that he, along with the owner, a licensed FAA mechanic, examined the accident aircraft, and also test ran the engine, and could find no anomalies. The inspector said that the engine operated normally when tested.
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: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 29,000 hours in all; 130 in this make and model; 24,000 as pilot in command; 5,000 on instruments
- Last flight review: October 2, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 95 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 30, 2000; 48 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Textron Lyc. IO-320-E2D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 7NC1 Burgaw NC at 7:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 29, 3,800 ft by 125 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,500 ft; clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from ILM, 30 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Other NTSB records under N15VP the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number MIA02LA033.