# NTSB ATL85FMG05: Fain Evans VP-1, N74VP, Statesville, NC, July 16, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1985, 19:15 local (Jul 16, 1985, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Statesville, NC
- Coordinates: 35.77917, -80.879737 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7792&lon=-80.8797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6669
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FMG05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6669/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FMG05

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE UNREGISTERED EXPIRED CERTIFICATED NEWLY PURCHASED EXPERIMENTAL ACFT WAS BEING FLOWN BY THE STUDENT PLT OWNER ON HIS 1ST FLT IN THE ACFT. THE ACFT WAS SEEN TO TAKEOFF AND MAKE A RIGHT TURN AFTER WHICH IT DESCENDED INTO TALL TREES. WITNESS REPORTED HEARING NORMAL ENG SOUNDS PRIOR TO IMPACT. A FRIEND OF THE PLT STATED THE PLT PROBABLY HAD NOT ACCUMULATED MORE THAN 20-25 HRS FLT TIME IN THE LAST 4 YRS. HE CONTINUED TO STATE HE HAD FLOWN THE ACFT ON THE PREVIOUS DAY AND IT PERFORMED NORMALLY BUT THE CONTROLS WERE VERY SENSITIVE AND THE PLT HAD NEVER FLOWN AN ACFT WITH A STICK INSTEAD OF A CONTROL YOKE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N74VP (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: FAIN EVANS VP-1
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: N74VP
- Engines: VOLKSWAGEN 1600 55 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Russell A. Reeves
- Airport: NC15, Raeford, runway 2, 2,500 × 200 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19850715057029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850715057029A), Jul 15, 1985: Amtrev VOLKSPLNEVP1, Statesville, NC, Destroyed. Crashed after takeoff. No record of dual instruction for student flying unregistered uncertified aircraft.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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