# NTSB CHI89FA155: Lancair 235, N385L, Fond Du Lac, WI, August 1, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 1, 1989, 09:11 local (14:11 UTC)
- Place: Fond Du Lac, WI
- Location: 43.7722° N, 88.4403° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fond du Lac, WI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7722&lon=-88.4403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14270
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89FA155
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14270/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89FA155

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO ASSURE THAT ADEQUATE AIRSPEED WAS MAINTAINED DURING THE TURN TO FINAL APPROACH, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN.

## 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 - base leg/base to final
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N385L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N385L-1989-11-03), registration cancelled 1989-11-03, S/N 00185 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LANCAIR 235
- Registry model: [Neibauer Lance A LANCAIR](https://openairdocs.org/model/neibauer-lance-a-lancair) (registry code 05613UC) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 001-85
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 118 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Neico Aviation, Inc.
- Departed: FLD
- Airport: FLD, Fond Du Lac County, runway 36, 5,560 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,650 total, 350 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Observed at: OSH, 15 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 19890801026119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890801026119A), Aug 1, 1989: Amtrnc 235LANCAIR, Fond Du Lac, WI, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Stalled out of a steep turn to final for landing.

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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