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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

June 14, 1990 · Vanek 300 · N359VE

Vriesland, MI

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 14, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Vriesland, MI
Aircraft
Vanek 300
Tail Number
N359VE
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI90DEM04

THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING FOR AN UPCOMING AIRSHOW WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT'S WIFE, HE WAS PRACTICING AT ALTITUDES WHICH WERE LOWER THAN NORMAL DUE TO THE LOW CLOUD LAYER. HE WAS SEEN TO ENTER AND EXIT THE CLOUDS SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE FLIGHT. THE PILOT'S WIFE STATED THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING A HALF CUBAN 8 WITH ROLLS DURING THE DESCENT. AT THE END OF THE MANEUVER SHE SAW THE WINGS ROLL LEVEL AND THE AIRPLANE PITCHED UP THEN STARTED ANOTHER ROLL WHEN THE WING TIP CONTACTED THE GROUND.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGMENT OF THE ALTITUDE. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LOW CEILING.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING FOR AN UPCOMING AIRSHOW WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT'S WIFE, HE WAS PRACTICING AT ALTITUDES WHICH WERE LOWER THAN NORMAL DUE TO THE LOW CLOUD LAYER. HE WAS SEEN TO ENTER AND EXIT THE CLOUDS SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE FLIGHT. THE PILOT'S WIFE STATED THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING A HALF CUBAN 8 WITH ROLLS DURING THE DESCENT. AT THE END OF THE MANEUVER SHE SAW THE WINGS ROLL LEVEL AND THE AIRPLANE PITCHED UP THEN STARTED ANOTHER ROLL WHEN THE WING TIP CONTACTED THE GROUND.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:30 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftVanek 300
Tail NumberN359VE
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-J4A5 · Reciprocating
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 37 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 9 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingOvercast 500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 63 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time15:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data