# NTSB CHI90DEM02: Maxair MU532, Vicksburg, MI, January 28, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: January 28, 1990, 13:33 local (18:33 UTC)
- Place: Vicksburg, MI
- Coordinates: 42.120647, -85.530548 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1206&lon=-85.5305&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 21, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14466
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90DEM02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14466/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90DEM02

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED WHILE PERFORMING MANUEVERS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PASSENGER REPORTED THEY WERE FLYING LOW AND SLOW WHILE CIRCLING HIS SISTERS HOUSE WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. HE REPORTED BEING IN A LEFT TURN WHEN THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED RAPIDLY TO IMPACT WITH THE TERRAIN. A WITNESS REPORTED THE PILOT WAS MAKING STEEP TURNS, DIVING AND CLIMBING PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE STUDENT PILOT HAD APPROXIMATELY 12 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MAXAIR MU532
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: ROTAX 532 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Vanderhorst, Thomas
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: VICKSBURG, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 12 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 7 knots
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AZO, 8 nm away

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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