Amateur-built RV-8F accident near College Place, Washington, April 1, 2004
On April 1, 2004 at about 7:38 pm local time, a amateur-built RV-8F, registered N284DM, was substantially damaged in an accident near College Place, Washington (Martin Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s) and the pilot's failure to maintain adequate flying airspeed during the forced landing. A contributing factor was the pilot's decision to attempt a turn at low altitude.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 1, 2004 · about 7:38 pm local time
- Place
- College Place, Washington · Martin Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV-8F
- Registration
- N284DM · registry record · serial 80955
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the homebuilt RV-8F departed runway 23 executing a climbing right turn, followed by a second RV-8F about 300 feet behind. As the second aircraft climbed through 300-400 feet above ground the pilot observed the first aircraft roll wings level and commence a descent while simultaneously turning back toward the departure airport and then impacting the ground in a wings level flat pitch attitude. The aircraft slid about 25-30 feet across the ground along a 200 degree magnetic track and its "G" meter registered +10 G's. Post crash examination of the aircraft's Franklin engine, the throttle system and engine fuel pump and boost pump revealed no evidence of mechanical or fuel related malfunction. Fuel was found in both fuel tanks and throughout the fuel lines up to the engine.
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: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,500 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (expired)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 100 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, June 10, 2003; 100 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Franklin 6A-350-C1 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: S95 College Place WA at 7:35 pm
- Destination: ALW Walla Walla WA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 23, 3,840 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.25 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from ALW, 6 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.