# NTSB ATL92FA138: Kory G. Cornum SH-3R, N383KR, Auburn, AL, July 15, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1992, 08:55 local (13:55 UTC)
- Place: Auburn, AL
- Coordinates: 32.58937, -85.480476 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5894&lon=-85.4805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8513
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92FA138
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8513/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92FA138

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED AFTER INITIATING A MANEUVER FROM LOW ALTITUDE. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND A PILOT-RATED PASSENGER WERE FLYING THE HOME-BUILT, EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT IN THE LOCAL AREA. THE REPORTED CEILING WAS 1,100 FEET (BROKEN). THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED PERFORMING A CLIMBING, HIGH BANK ANGLE TURN BENEATH THE CLOUD DECK PRIOR TO A LEFT, DESCENDING SPIRAL INTO THE TERRAIN. SEVERAL WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO ENGINE NOISE DURING THE UNCONTROLLED DESCENT. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED IN A WOODED AREA, ABOUT 200 YARDS FROM A HIGHWAY. AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE INDICATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE TERRAIN IN A STEEP, NOSE LOW ATTITUDE WITH LITTLE FORWARD SPEED. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE AIRCRAFT HAD ADEQUATE FUEL FOR THE FLIGHT. NON-VOLATILE MEMORY DATA FROM THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS AT IDLE POWER AT THE TIME OF GROUND IMPACT. THE THROTTLE WAS FOUND IN THE IDLE POSITION, WITH THE PROP AND MIXTURE CONTROLS FULL FORWARD. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE AND AIRFRAME REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PRE-EXISTING MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N383KR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N383KR-1992-11-05), registration cancelled 1992-11-05, S/N 3168 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: KORY G. CORNUM SH-3R
- Registry model: [Cornum Kory SH-3R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cornum-kory-sh-3r) (registry code 05618JD) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 3168
- Airframe hours: 16
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1B5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Cornum, Kory G.
- Registered owner: Cornum, Kory G.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, June 27, 1992, 16 hours before
- Departed: AUO, AUBURN, AL
- Destination: AUO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,950 total, 200 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 12 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,100 ft broken
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AUO, 9 nm away

## 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 19920715025669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920715025669A), Jul 15, 1992: Amtr GLASAIR, Auburn, AL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Stalled in a steep nose high turn. Entered spin. Failed to recover.

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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