# NTSB CHI89DET01: Volksplane VP-1, N131JT, Coldwater, MI, October 8, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: October 8, 1988, 14:48 local (18:48 UTC)
- Place: Coldwater, MI
- Coordinates: 41.940631, -85.000968 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9406&lon=-85.0010&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14215
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89DET01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14215/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89DET01

## Probable cause

A STALL WITH ENTRY INTO THE INCIPIENT STAGE OF A SPIN WITH INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE FOR RECOVERY.

## 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
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS IN LOCAL TRAFFIC PATTERN AT APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET AGL. WITNESSES DESCRIBED THE ACFT ATTITUDE AS NOSE HIGH, AND THE AIRSPEED AS SLOW AS THE PILOT WAS TURNING DOWNWIND. WITNESSES DESCRIBED THE ENGINE NOISE AS LOUD. THE ACFT ROLLED INVERTED AND STRUCK THE GROUND IN AN APRX 60 DEGS NOSE LOW ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N131JT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N131JT-2013-06-04), registration cancelled 2013-06-04, S/N V 1583 (1902), built 1986 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: VOLKSPLANE VP-1
- Registry model: [Tomson Jerry M VP-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/tomson-jerry-m-vp-1) (registry code 05635G4) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1902
- Airframe hours: 122
- Engines: VOLKSWAGEN 1500 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jerry M. Tomson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 7, 1988, 22 hours before
- Departed: D96, COLDWATER, MI
- Airport: D96, Branch Co Mem., runway 24, 4,700 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 122 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JXN, 34 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 19881008045719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881008045719A), Oct 8, 1988: Amtrev VOLKSPLNEVP1, Coldwater, MI, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Engine lost power in pattern. Pilot tried to stretch glide and stalled. Carburetor icing factor. No carburetor heat

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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