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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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October 12, 1988 · Vangorden KR-2 · N3774G

Allaire, NJ

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 12, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Allaire, NJ
Aircraft
Vangorden KR-2
Tail Number
N3774G
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC89DHM03

THE HOMEBUILT AIRCRAFT WAS BEING FLOWN ON ITS MAIDEN FLIGHT WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. A WITNESS STATED THAT HE OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT 'SWIRLING DOWN LIKE A BIRD WITH A BROKEN WING.' ACCORDING TO HIM, THE AIRCRAFT WAS INTACT WITH NO EVIDENCE OF SMOKE BEFORE IT CRASHED. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT IMPACTED IN A NOSE DOWN, LEFT WING LOW ATTITUDE, THEN BURST INTO FLAMES. THE MAJORITY OF THE WRECKAGE CAME TO REST IN A 20 FT RADIUS. THE PROPELLER BLADES WERE SPLINTERED & CHIPPED, AS IF THE ENGINE WAS PROVIDING AT LEAST PARTIAL POWER BEFORE IMPACT. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION/FAILURE OF THE AIRCRAFT WAS FOUND. THE 72 YEAR OLD PILOT HAD LITTLE OR NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IN THIS MAKE & MODEL OF AIRCRAFT.

Full Narrative

THE HOMEBUILT AIRCRAFT WAS BEING FLOWN ON ITS MAIDEN FLIGHT WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. A WITNESS STATED THAT HE OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT 'SWIRLING DOWN LIKE A BIRD WITH A BROKEN WING.' ACCORDING TO HIM, THE AIRCRAFT WAS INTACT WITH NO EVIDENCE OF SMOKE BEFORE IT CRASHED. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT IMPACTED IN A NOSE DOWN, LEFT WING LOW ATTITUDE, THEN BURST INTO FLAMES. THE MAJORITY OF THE WRECKAGE CAME TO REST IN A 20 FT RADIUS. THE PROPELLER BLADES WERE SPLINTERED & CHIPPED, AS IF THE ENGINE WAS PROVIDING AT LEAST PARTIAL POWER BEFORE IMPACT. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION/FAILURE OF THE AIRCRAFT WAS FOUND. THE 72 YEAR OLD PILOT HAD LITTLE OR NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IN THIS MAKE & MODEL OF AIRCRAFT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:50 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftVangorden KR-2
Tail NumberN3774G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsUnknown · 60-2 · Reciprocating · 60
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 72 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind13 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 34 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:00
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data