VANS RV4

Full Narrative

On September 19, 2020, at 0945 mountain daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Vans RV-4 airplane, N250LB, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Clovis, New Mexico. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. 

The pilot, who was interviewed about a month after the accident due to his injuries, reported that he planned a normal departure from an airport he frequently departed from when the accident occurred. Shortly after takeoff and during the initial climb phase of the flight, he received a phone call on his mobile phone, which was on the floor by his feet. He was momentary distracted as he looked down to read the caller’s name on the phone. About 2 seconds later, he looked outside the cockpit and discovered that the airplane was inverted. The pilot immediately rolled the airplane into an upright, level attitude just before the wheels impacted the ground. He was unable to recall any further events.

The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions that could have precluded normal operation.

According to a witness, the airplane began a ground roll to the south into the wind. The airplane lifted off the ground about midfield and immediately transitioned into a climb. As it reached about 100 ft above ground level, the airplane rolled to the right until it was inverted and then disappeared from the witness’ view. The witness reported that the engine sounded smooth and continuous during the accident flight.

The airplane came to rest inverted about 800 ft beyond the end of the departure runway. Photographs furnished by the witness showed substantial damage to the fuselage and wings.