# NTSB CHI87DER09: Great Lakes Adams 2T-1, N23JA, Bethel/Msp, MN, July 10, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 10, 1987, 12:44 local (17:44 UTC)
- Place: Bethel/Msp, MN
- Coordinates: 45.40026, -93.260772 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4003&lon=-93.2608&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13590
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87DER09
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13590/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87DER09

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE AMATEUR BUILT AIRCRAFT IMPACTED IN AN OPEN FARM FIELD. ALTHOUGH WITNESSES DID NOT AGREE ON THE ALTITUDE THE AIRCRAFT WAS FLYING AT, THEY ALL STATED THAT THE GREAT LAKES 2T-1 WAS SPINNING BEFORE IT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. ONE WITNESS INDICATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN A FLAT SPIN. THE PLT, WHO HAD 10 HRS OF FLT EXPERIENCE IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL AIRCRAFT, COULD NOT RECALL THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE ACCIDENT. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE DID NOT REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE OF PREEXISTING DEFECTS OR MALFUNCTIONS OF THE AIRFRAME OR ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N23JA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23JA-2012-09-04), registration cancelled 2012-09-04, S/N 1, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GREAT LAKES ADAMS 2T-1
- Registry model: [Adams James GREAT LAKES 2T-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/adams-james-great-lakes-2t-1) (registry code 3910254) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Airframe hours: 54
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-U 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gary A. Solfield
- Registered owner: James A. Adams
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, June 24, 1987, 8 hours before
- Departed: ANE, BLAINE, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,350 total, 10 in this make and model, 1,340 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSP, 22 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 19870710034079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870710034079A), Jul 10, 1987: Grtlks 2T1, Bethel, MN, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Aircraft impacted ground in a wings level nose low attitude and rotation. Possible altitude and passenger problem.

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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