# NTSB CHI85FA013: Harbaugh John T COUGAR-1, N3227X, St. Cloud, MN, October 11, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 11, 1984, 17:55 local (22:55 UTC)
- Place: St. Cloud, MN
- Coordinates: 45.550281, -94.169265 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5503&lon=-94.1693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12802
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85FA013
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12802/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85FA013

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE HOMEBUILT ACFT CRASHED WHILE ATTEMPTING AN EMERGENCY LNDG IN A FARMERS FIELD. THE FINAL TURN TO LAND WAS STEEPENED TO AVOID A HOUSE. THE ACFT FLIPPED OVER AND CONTACTED THE GROUND IN AN INVERTED, LEFT WING & NOSE DWN ATTITUDE WHICH RESULTED IN A 180 DEGREE REVERSAL BEFORE FINAL IMPACT. THE PLT/OWNER/BUILDER HAD BEEN IN THE PROCESS OF COMPLETING THE ACFT FOR 20 YRS. HE HAD COME TO THE ARPT ON THE ACC DAY TO WORK ON THE ACFT AGAIN BUT INSTEAD DECIDED TO TRY A MAIDEN FLT. THE FLT LASTED 40 MINUTES. WITNESSES NOTICED THE ACFT FLYING ERRATICALLY AND LOSING ALT AS IT FLEW WEST ALONG THE HIWAY RETURNING TOWARD THE ARPT OF DEPARTURE. IT CRASHED INTO A CORNFIELD ABOUT 3 MILES FROM THE ARPT. INVESTIGATION OF THE ACFT WRECKAGE SHOWED SEVERAL IRREGULARITIES IN CONSTRUCTION METHODS & ASSEMBLY STANDARDS. MAINTENANCE PERFORMED WAS ALSO SUBSTANDARD. NO PROBLEMS OF APHYSICAL NATURE FOR THE 61 YR OLD PLT WERE DISCOVERED DURING AUTOPSY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3227X (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HARBAUGH JOHN T COUGAR-1
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Airframe hours: 2
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-GPU 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John T. Harbaugh
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, August 31, 1984, 2 hours before
- Departed: STC, ST. CLOUD, MN
- Airport: STC, St Cloud

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 140 total, 1 in this make and model, 93 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: STC, 5 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 19841011055369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841011055369A), Oct 11, 1984: Amtrev COUGAR1, St Cloud, MN, Destroyed. Turned to avoid house while making emergency landing and wingtip struck ground. Cylinders corroded.

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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