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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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July 26, 1990 · Custom Aerotech White Lightning White LIGH · N7147W

Oshkosh, WI

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 26, 1990
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Oshkosh, WI
Aircraft
Custom Aerotech White Lightning White LIGH
Tail Number
N7147W
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI90FA197

THE HIGH PERFORMANCE AMATEUR BUILT AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO BE ON DOWNWIND TO RUNWAY 27. WITNESSES SAW THE AIRCRAFT ENTER A MANEUVER TO EXTEND/MAINTAIN SEPARATION FROM AIRCRAFT IT WAS FOLLOWING. DURING THIS MANEUVER THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO DEPART CONTROLLED FLIGHT, ENTER A SPIN, AND IMPACT A LAKE. THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND HAD APPROXIMATELY 50 HOURS TOTAL TIME IN THIS AIRCRAFT. HE HAD TOLD WITNESSES PRIOR TO THIS FLIGHT THAT HE DID NOT WANT TO FLY THE AIRCRAFT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC BECAUSE HE DID NOT WANT TO HAVE TO OPERATE THE AIRCRAFT IN A SLOW FLIGHT REGIME.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED TO AVOID LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT.

Full Narrative

THE HIGH PERFORMANCE AMATEUR BUILT AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO BE ON DOWNWIND TO RUNWAY 27. WITNESSES SAW THE AIRCRAFT ENTER A MANEUVER TO EXTEND/MAINTAIN SEPARATION FROM AIRCRAFT IT WAS FOLLOWING. DURING THIS MANEUVER THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO DEPART CONTROLLED FLIGHT, ENTER A SPIN, AND IMPACT A LAKE. THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND HAD APPROXIMATELY 50 HOURS TOTAL TIME IN THIS AIRCRAFT. HE HAD TOLD WITNESSES PRIOR TO THIS FLIGHT THAT HE DID NOT WANT TO FLY THE AIRCRAFT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC BECAUSE HE DID NOT WANT TO HAVE TO OPERATE THE AIRCRAFT IN A SLOW FLIGHT REGIME.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:55 CDT
Nearest AirportWittman Field (0nm N)
Runway27
Runway Length6166 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCustom Aerotech White Lightning White LIGH
Tail NumberN7147W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-360 · Reciprocating · 210
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 45 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 15000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time00:55
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data