# NTSB CHI74FEM01: Wikoff Photon, N5578, Ionia, MI, July 1, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: July 1, 1973
- Place: Ionia, MI · IONIA, MI
- Location: 42.9768° N, 85.0746° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Ionia, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9768&lon=-85.0746&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 30, 1974
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 188772
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI74FEM01
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI74FEM01

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-4141   73/7/1    IONIA,MICH          WIKOFF PHOTON       CR-  1  0  0  MISCELLANEOUS             PRIVATE, AGE 28, 147
        TIME - 0830                    N5578               PX-  0  0  0  TEST                      TOTAL HOURS, 0 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - IONIA COUNTY
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          IONIA,MICH                  LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: SPIN                                              LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH AIRCRAFT
        REMARKS- AC POWERED BY VW REVMASTER 2100D ENG.INITIAL FLT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5578](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5578-1973-08-20), registration cancelled 1973-08-20, S/N 001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WIKOFF PHOTON
- Registry model: [Wikoff PHOTON](https://openairdocs.org/model/wikoff-photon) (registry code 0562506) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Ionia County

## 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 19730701021679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730701021679A), Jul 1, 1973: Amtr 0562541, Ionia, MI, Substantial damage. Ac powered by vw revmaster 2100D eng. Initial flt.

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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