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NTSB Report
July 24, 1987 · Hendrickson Polliwagon · N48876
Ely, MN
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 24, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Ely, MN
Aircraft
Hendrickson Polliwagon
Tail Number
N48876
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI87DER11
WHILE ON DOWNWIND TO THE AIRPORT THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED LEVEL FLIGHT AND IMPACTED IN A WOODED AREA IN AN APPROXIMATE 80 DEGREE NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED AND THE PLT WHO WAS THE SOLE OCCUPANT, RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES. THIS WAS AN EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT AND WAS ON ITS INITIAL FLIGHT AFTER SOME MODIFICATIONS. ON JUNE 1, 1986, THE AIRCRAFT WAS INVOLVED IN AN INCIDENT WHICH WAS REPORTEDLY A RESULT OF OVERCONTROL. SINCE THAT TIME THE ELEVATOR AND HORIZONTAL STABILIZER HAD BEEN LOWERED TO A POSITION NEAR THE TOP OF THE FUSELAGE. THIS ALTERATION HAD NOT BEEN APPROVED BY THE MINNEAPOLIS MIDO.
Full Narrative
WHILE ON DOWNWIND TO THE AIRPORT THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED LEVEL FLIGHT AND IMPACTED IN A WOODED AREA IN AN APPROXIMATE 80 DEGREE NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED AND THE PLT WHO WAS THE SOLE OCCUPANT, RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES. THIS WAS AN EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT AND WAS ON ITS INITIAL FLIGHT AFTER SOME MODIFICATIONS. ON JUNE 1, 1986, THE AIRCRAFT WAS INVOLVED IN AN INCIDENT WHICH WAS REPORTEDLY A RESULT OF OVERCONTROL. SINCE THAT TIME THE ELEVATOR AND HORIZONTAL STABILIZER HAD BEEN LOWERED TO A POSITION NEAR THE TOP OF THE FUSELAGE. THIS ALTERATION HAD NOT BEEN APPROVED BY THE MINNEAPOLIS MIDO.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:20 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHendrickson Polliwagon
Tail NumberN48876
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsVolkswagen · TYPE IV · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 58 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 7 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 59
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time13:00
Weather SourceWFAC