# NTSB CHI87DER11: Hendrickson Polliwagon, N48876, Ely, MN, July 24, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1987, 07:20 local (12:20 UTC)
- Place: Ely, MN
- Coordinates: 47.900001, -91.849845 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9000&lon=-91.8498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13592
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87DER11
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13592/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87DER11

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - maintenance,major alteration - performed, pilot in command
  - performance data - unavailable, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE ON DOWNWIND TO THE AIRPORT THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED LEVEL FLIGHT AND IMPACTED IN A WOODED AREA IN AN APPROXIMATE 80 DEGREE NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED AND THE PLT WHO WAS THE SOLE OCCUPANT, RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES. THIS WAS AN EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT AND WAS ON ITS INITIAL FLIGHT AFTER SOME MODIFICATIONS. ON JUNE 1, 1986, THE AIRCRAFT WAS INVOLVED IN AN INCIDENT WHICH WAS REPORTEDLY A RESULT OF OVERCONTROL. SINCE THAT TIME THE ELEVATOR AND HORIZONTAL STABILIZER HAD BEEN LOWERED TO A POSITION NEAR THE TOP OF THE FUSELAGE. THIS ALTERATION HAD NOT BEEN APPROVED BY THE MINNEAPOLIS MIDO.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N48876 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HENDRICKSON POLLIWAGON
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1490
- Airframe hours: 1
- Engines: Volkswagen TYPE IV 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Alden E. Hendrickson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, May 7, 1986, 1 hours before
- Departed: ELO, ELY, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 552 total, 1 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HIB, 48 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 19870724037809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870724037809A), Jul 24, 1987: Amtr POLLIWAGON, Ely, MN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Stalled from 500 feet in turn. Impacted ground at 80 degree angle. Unapproved horizontal stabilizer location on fin

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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