# NTSB CHI90DEP05: Cirrus Klappmeier Cirrus VF-30, N888EK, Baraboo, WI, June 14, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 14, 1990, 14:10 local (19:10 UTC)
- Place: Baraboo, WI
- Coordinates: 43.459106, -89.73957 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4591&lon=-89.7396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14478
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90DEP05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14478/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90DEP05

## Probable cause

MANUFACTURER'S INADEQUATE EQUIPMENT DESIGN TO PREVENT A FUEL LEAK WHICH RESULTED IN AN IN-FLIGHT FIRE. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF AN UNSUITABLE FORCED LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,line - leak
  - acft/equip,inadequate design, manufacturer (cause)
- Fire, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - fluid,fuel - fire
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - initiated, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,tank - ruptured

## Analysis

THE AMATEUR BUILT AIRCRAFT WAS BEING FLOWN ON AN EXPERIMENTAL TEST FLIGHT. DURING INITIAL CLIMB A PARTIAL POWER LOSS WAS INDICATED, FOLLOWED BY AN IN-FLIGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. A FORCED LANDING WAS INITIATED IN A FIELD WHERE THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR STRUCK ROUGH TERRAIN AND THE FUEL TANK (WET WING) RUPTURED. SUBSEUQENTLY THE FIRE PROPAGATED TO THE LEAKING FUEL AND CONSUMED TE AIRCRAFT. FUEL INJECTOR LINES WERE OF THE VINYL PLASTIC (AUTOMOTIVE) TYPE AND HAD LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N888EK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N888EK-1995-03-23), registration cancelled 1995-03-23, S/N CD008 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CIRRUS KLAPPMEIER CIRRUS VF-30 (CIRRUS VF-)
- Registry model: [Klapmeiesa A L/Klapmeiesa D E CIRRUS VK-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/klapmeiesa-a-l-klapmeiesa-d-e-cirrus-vk-30) (registry code 05616PF) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 008
- Engines: Greth EAGLE V-8 365 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Klapmeier, Alan L.
- Departed: C85, BARBADO, WI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,400 total, 250 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSN, 35 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 19900614020099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900614020099A), Jun 14, 1990: Amtr VK30, Baraboo, WI, Destroyed. Lost power on takeoff after engine overheated. Fire in engine. Air intake had collapsed. Loose exhaust manifold.

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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