# NTSB CHI88DEE01: Alexander Volksplane VP-1, N99VP, Dekalb, IL, November 12, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: November 12, 1987, 13:10 local (19:10 UTC)
- Place: Dekalb, IL
- Coordinates: 41.890991, -88.750236 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8910&lon=-88.7502&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13851
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88DEE01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13851/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88DEE01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, landing
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD LITTLE EXPERIENCE FLYING TAILWHEEL EQUIPPED ACFT & HAD ONLY 10 HRS FLT TIME IN THIS MAKE & MODEL. DURING ARRIVAL, HE LANDED ON RWY 27 WITH A QUARTERING LEFT X-WIND THAT WAS GUSTING TO 20 KTS. JUST BEFORE TOUCHDOWN, A GUST OF WIND CAUSED THE ACFT TO BANK TO THE RIGHT. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT CONTACTED THE RWY IN A RIGHT WING LOW ATTITUDE, BENDING THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR. THE ACFT THEN VEERED TO THE LEFT & THE LEFT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED, DAMAGING THE PROP & LEFT WING SPAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99VP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99VP-2021-07-31), registration cancelled 2021-07-31, S/N 1, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ALEXANDER VOLKSPLANE VP-1
- Registry model: [Alexander VOLKSPLANE VP-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/alexander-volksplane-vp-1) (registry code 0563510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Airframe hours: 700
- Engines: Volkswagen UNK 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mark E. Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1987, 70 hours before
- Departed: LL53, PLATO CENTER, IL
- Destination: DKB
- Airport: DKB, Dekalb, runway 27, 3,542 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 206 total, 10 in this make and model, 150 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19871112065029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871112065029A), Nov 12, 1987: Amtrev VOLKSPLNEVP1, Dekalb, IL, Substantial damage. Right wing dropped on landing, bent the gear. Aircraft veered off runway and collapsed the left main gear.

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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