# NTSB CHI88DER05: Vans RV-3A, N9WL, Walker, MN, July 27, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1988, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Walker, MN
- Coordinates: 47.07991, -94.570465 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0799&lon=-94.5705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13890
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88DER05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13890/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88DER05

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - improper (contributing factor)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AFTER MAKING A LOW LEVEL PASS OVER A LAKE, HE ATTEMPTED TO CLIMB TO PATTERN ALTITUDE IN PREPARATION FOR LANDING AT A NEARBY AIRPORT. WHEN THE CLIMB WAS INITIATED, THE AIRCRAFT DID A LOOP AND THE PLT LOST CONTROL. THE ACFT SUBSEQUENTLY CRASHED AND SANK IN 15 FEET OF WATER. THE ALLOWABLE CENTER OF GRAVITY (CG) RANGE FOR THE AIRCRAFT IS 9.7 INCHES TO 14.5 INCHES. THE CALCULATED CG AT THE TIME OF THE OCCURRENCE WAS 16.02 INCHES. WITNESSES CONFIRM THAT THE ACFT DID IN FACT DO A LOOP 'AS IN AN AIRSHOW'. THE PLT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT HE HAD BEEN ATTEMPTING TO PERFORM A LOOP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9WL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9WL-1991-03-29), registration cancelled 1991-03-29, S/N 666 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: VANS RV-3A
- Registry model: [Llewellyn Warwick W VANS RV-3A](https://openairdocs.org/model/llewellyn-warwick-w-vans-rv-3a) (registry code 05608V7) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 666
- Airframe hours: 130
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dan H. Gildner
- Registered owner: Cildner, Dan H
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 24, 1988
- Departed: FCM, EDEN PRAIRIE, MN
- Destination: Y49, WALKER, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 16,252 total, 53 in this make and model, 13,000 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 99 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GPZ, 46 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 19880727030309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880727030309A), Jul 27, 1988: Amtrvn VANSRV3, Walker, MN, Substantial damage. Struck the water at the bottom of a low level loop near pilots home. Was unable to recover prior to impact.

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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