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NTSB Report
October 8, 1988 · Volksplane VP-1 · N131JT
Coldwater, MI
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 8, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Coldwater, MI
Aircraft
Volksplane VP-1
Tail Number
N131JT
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI89DET01
THE ACFT WAS IN LOCAL TRAFFIC PATTERN AT APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET AGL. WITNESSES DESCRIBED THE ACFT ATTITUDE AS NOSE HIGH, AND THE AIRSPEED AS SLOW AS THE PILOT WAS TURNING DOWNWIND. WITNESSES DESCRIBED THE ENGINE NOISE AS LOUD. THE ACFT ROLLED INVERTED AND STRUCK THE GROUND IN AN APRX 60 DEGS NOSE LOW ATTITUDE.
NTSB Probable Cause
A STALL WITH ENTRY INTO THE INCIPIENT STAGE OF A SPIN WITH INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE FOR RECOVERY.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT WAS IN LOCAL TRAFFIC PATTERN AT APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET AGL. WITNESSES DESCRIBED THE ACFT ATTITUDE AS NOSE HIGH, AND THE AIRSPEED AS SLOW AS THE PILOT WAS TURNING DOWNWIND. WITNESSES DESCRIBED THE ENGINE NOISE AS LOUD. THE ACFT ROLLED INVERTED AND STRUCK THE GROUND IN AN APRX 60 DEGS NOSE LOW ATTITUDE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:48 EDT
Nearest AirportBranch Co Mem. (0nm N)
Runway24
Runway Length4700 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftVolksplane VP-1
Tail NumberN131JT
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsVolkswagen · 1500 · Reciprocating · 65
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 51 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 5000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 36 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:50
Weather SourceWFAC