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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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August 8, 1990 · Harper Volksplane WE-1 Volksplane · N4509

Kingman, KS

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 8, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Kingman, KS
Aircraft
Harper Volksplane WE-1 Volksplane
Tail Number
N4509
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI90LA217

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE AIRCRAFT TURNED ONTO A RIGHT DOWNWIND, AND WAS OBSERVED IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE, THEN DISAPPEARED FROM VIEW. THE ACFT SUBSEQENTLY COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN IN A NOSE DOWN, RIGHT WING LOW ATTITUDE.

NTSB Probable Cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL AND SPIN.

Full Narrative

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE AIRCRAFT TURNED ONTO A RIGHT DOWNWIND, AND WAS OBSERVED IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE, THEN DISAPPEARED FROM VIEW. THE ACFT SUBSEQENTLY COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN IN A NOSE DOWN, RIGHT WING LOW ATTITUDE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:45 CDT
Nearest Airport1nm W
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHarper Volksplane WE-1 Volksplane
Tail NumberN4509
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsVolkswagen · Reciprocating · 65
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 26 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind130° @ 6 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time01:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data