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NTSB Report
August 6, 1987 · Robertson B1-RD · N44870
Kankakee/Elks, IL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 6, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Kankakee/Elks, IL
Aircraft
Robertson B1-RD
Tail Number
N44870
Operator
Gerald Anderson
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI87DEE09
DURING A TAKEOFF FROM A GOLF COURSE FAIRWAY THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A TREE AND CRASHED. A SKETCHED DESCRIPTION OF THE SCENE REVEALED ONLY 60 YARDS BETWEEN THE STARTING POINT OF THE TAKEOFF AND THE TREE. IN SPITE OF THIS, THE PLT STATED THAT HE CLIMBED TO ABOUT 50 FT ABOVE THE TREE AND STARTED A TURN TO THE RIGHT. WHEN HE TRIED TO ROLL OUT OF THE TURN, ACCORDING TO THIS STATEMENT, THE ACFT CONTINUED TO TURN. HE FURTHER STATED THAT WHEN CONTINUED EFFORTS TO RECOVER FAILED HE REDUCED POWER TO IDLE AND TRIED TO HIT THE ENGINE 'KILL' SWITCH BEFORE IMPACT. THE ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO MECHANICAL DISCREPANCIES OF THE ACFT. ACCORDING TO ONE EYEWITNES STATEMENT THE ACFT WAS OPERATING NORMALLY AND APPEARED TO HAVE STALLED DURING THE CLIMBOUT.
Full Narrative
DURING A TAKEOFF FROM A GOLF COURSE FAIRWAY THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A TREE AND CRASHED. A SKETCHED DESCRIPTION OF THE SCENE REVEALED ONLY 60 YARDS BETWEEN THE STARTING POINT OF THE TAKEOFF AND THE TREE. IN SPITE OF THIS, THE PLT STATED THAT HE CLIMBED TO ABOUT 50 FT ABOVE THE TREE AND STARTED A TURN TO THE RIGHT. WHEN HE TRIED TO ROLL OUT OF THE TURN, ACCORDING TO THIS STATEMENT, THE ACFT CONTINUED TO TURN. HE FURTHER STATED THAT WHEN CONTINUED EFFORTS TO RECOVER FAILED HE REDUCED POWER TO IDLE AND TRIED TO HIT THE ENGINE 'KILL' SWITCH BEFORE IMPACT. THE ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO MECHANICAL DISCREPANCIES OF THE ACFT. ACCORDING TO ONE EYEWITNES STATEMENT THE ACFT WAS OPERATING NORMALLY AND APPEARED TO HAVE STALLED DURING THE CLIMBOUT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:19 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftRobertson B1-RD
Tail NumberN44870
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorGerald Anderson
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCuyuna · 430-R · Reciprocating · 30
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 44 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 8 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 55
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time00:00
Weather SourceWFAC