On November 25, 2002, a Girard RV-4 (registration N5246) was involved in an aviation accident near Homer, LA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's VFR flight into IMC conditions and his failure to obtain/maintain altitude/clearance from trees during the initial climb after takeoff. Contributing factors were fog and trees. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A non-instrument rated private pilot took off in instrument meteorological conditions and crashed shortly after, with witnesses reporting engine sputtering before impact with trees in a marsh.
Accident Overview
A non-instrument rated private pilot departed from an airport in instrument meteorological conditions for a cross-country flight. Witnesses near the accident site reported very thick fog in the area at the time. They heard the aircraft depart from the runway and execute a right turn. Minutes later, the engine was heard to sputter, then race up in rpm, followed by the sound of impact with trees.
Wreckage Location and Description
The wreckage was located just north of the departure end of the runway in a marsh area surrounding the airport. Initial impact was with trees approximately 30 feet in height. The airplane came to rest nose down in about 3 feet of water and was destroyed from the cabin forward.
Airport Guide Information
The airport guide notes that approximately 60-foot trees are located about 205 feet off both ends of the runway thresholds and about 195 to 200 feet from the runway centerline.
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