# NTSB ATL88DKG04: Weber Evans VF-1, N18JW, Fort Payne, AL, February 26, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: February 26, 1988, 11:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Fort Payne, AL
- Location: 34.4443° N, 85.7197° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fort Payne, AL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4443&lon=-85.7197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7534
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88DKG04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7534/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88DKG04

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - lift-off - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N18JW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N18JW-2013-04-09), registration cancelled 2013-04-09, S/N 1JW, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WEBER EVANS VF-1
- Registry model: [Weber EVANS VP-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/weber-evans-vp-1) (registry code 0563539) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1JW
- Engines: VOLKSWAGEN 1600 CC 50 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Paul Holcomb
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, October 4, 1987, 17 hours before
- Departed: 4A9
- Destination: 4A9
- Airport: 4A9, Isbell Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 72 total, 72 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19880226003749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880226003749A), Feb 26, 1988: Amtrev VOLKSPLNEVP1, Fort Payne, AL, Substantial damage. Became airborne by mistake on a high speed taxi test followed by a stall and a spin into the ground.

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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