# NTSB CHI83LA197: Holmes XTC2, N3885D, River Falls, MN, May 4, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 4, 1983, 09:40 local (14:40 UTC)
- Place: River Falls, MN
- Coordinates: 48.110511, -96.170349 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1105&lon=-96.1703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12160
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA197
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12160/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA197

## 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
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE ACFT PULLED UP STEEPLY AFTER TAKEOFF AND STALLED. THE ACFT CRASHED BACK ON THE RWY. THE PILOT SAID HE REDUCED POWER AFTER TAKEOFF AND THE ACFT STALLED. HE ALSO SAID IF HE HAD NOT REDUCED POWER THE ACCIDENT WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3885D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3885D-2014-11-19), registration cancelled 2014-11-19, S/N XTC-2, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HOLMES XTC2
- Registry model: [Holmes Stewart J XTC-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/holmes-stewart-j-xtc-2) (registry code 9570712) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Airframe hours: 28
- Engines: KFM 107 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stewart J. Holmes
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: TVF, Thief River Falls, runway 31, 6,500 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 610 total, 15 in this make and model, 15 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °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 19830504017279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830504017279A), May 4, 1983: Amtr XTC2, Thief River Fal, MN, Substantial damage. Witness observed nose pull up sharply and stall back to the ground immediately after takeoff.

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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