# NTSB CHI88DET03: Davis Heath Model V, N312HD, Valparaiso, IN, May 20, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1988, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Valparaiso, IN
- Coordinates: 41.470832, -87.050125 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4708&lon=-87.0501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13901
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88DET03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13901/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88DET03

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - flt control syst,rudder - undetermined (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained (cause)
  - abort - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - airport facility (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - attempted, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT WHEN HE APPLIED POWER TO TAKEOFF, THE ACFT 'PULLED TO THE RIGHT.'  HE SAID THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE, BUT TOUCHED DOWN AGAIN & CONTD TO GO TO THE RIGHT. ALSO, HE SAID HE TRIED TO CORRECT THE SITUATION WITH LEFT RUDDER, BUT THE RUDDER SEEMED TO BE LOCKED & WOULD NOT MOVE. HE THEN NOTICED THE ACFT WAS HEADING TOWARD AN ILS TOWER, SO HE 'BANKED A LITTLE MORE TO THE RIGHT AND MISSED THE TOWER.'  MOMENTS LATER, THE ACFT HIT THE GROUND. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N312HD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N312HD-2011-09-22), registration cancelled 2011-09-22, S/N 2HD1931, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DAVIS HEATH MODEL V (HEATH MODE)
- Registry model: [Davis Earl L HEATH MODEL V](https://openairdocs.org/model/davis-earl-l-heath-model-v) (registry code 05650F2) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 2HD1931
- Airframe hours: 127
- Engines: Volkswagen 1834 CC 60 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Davis, Earl L.
- Registered owner: Earl L Davis
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 6, 1988, 5 hours before
- Departed: VPZ
- Airport: VPZ, Porter County, runway 27, 6,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 210 total, 45 in this make and model, 192 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBN, 36 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 19880520057059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880520057059A), May 20, 1988: Amtrea HEATHPARASOL, Valparaiso, IN, Substantial damage. Lost control of homebuilt aircraft on takeoff. Crash landed off side of runway. Accelerated turning stall factor.

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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