# NTSB CHI90DEM04: Vanek 300, N359VE, Vriesland, MI, June 14, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: June 14, 1990, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Vriesland, MI
- Coordinates: 42.809906, -86.009353 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8099&lon=-86.0094&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14468
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90DEM04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14468/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90DEM04

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGMENT OF THE ALTITUDE. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LOW CEILING.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING FOR AN UPCOMING AIRSHOW WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT'S WIFE, HE WAS PRACTICING AT ALTITUDES WHICH WERE LOWER THAN NORMAL DUE TO THE LOW CLOUD LAYER. HE WAS SEEN TO ENTER AND EXIT THE CLOUDS SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE FLIGHT. THE PILOT'S WIFE STATED THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING A HALF CUBAN 8 WITH ROLLS DURING THE DESCENT. AT THE END OF THE MANEUVER SHE SAW THE WINGS ROLL LEVEL AND THE AIRPLANE PITCHED UP THEN STARTED ANOTHER ROLL WHEN THE WING TIP CONTACTED THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N359VE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N359VE-1991-01-09), registration cancelled 1991-01-09, S/N 1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: VANEK 300
- Registry model: [Van ECK Steve MODEL 300](https://openairdocs.org/model/van-eck-steve-model-300) (registry code 05612SG) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-J4A5 reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Steve Vaneck
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,095 total, 130 in this make and model, 995 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKG, 10 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 19900614020049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900614020049A), Jun 14, 1990: Amtr REBEL, Vriesland, MI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Impacted ground during low level practice manuevers under a low cloud ceiling. Failed to recover from loop and rolls

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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