# NTSB CHI90FA197: Custom Aerotech White Lightning, N7147W, Oshkosh, WI, July 26, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 25, 1990, 19:55 local (Jul 26, 1990, 00:55 UTC)
- Place: Oshkosh, WI
- Location: 44.0232° N, 88.5623° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Oshkosh, WI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0232&lon=-88.5623&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14542
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90FA197
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14542/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90FA197

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED TO AVOID LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vs) - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE HIGH PERFORMANCE AMATEUR BUILT AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO BE ON DOWNWIND TO RUNWAY 27. WITNESSES SAW THE AIRCRAFT ENTER A MANEUVER TO EXTEND/MAINTAIN SEPARATION FROM AIRCRAFT IT WAS FOLLOWING. DURING THIS MANEUVER THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO DEPART CONTROLLED FLIGHT, ENTER A SPIN, AND IMPACT A LAKE. THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND HAD APPROXIMATELY 50 HOURS TOTAL TIME IN THIS AIRCRAFT. HE HAD TOLD WITNESSES PRIOR TO THIS FLIGHT THAT HE DID NOT WANT TO FLY THE AIRCRAFT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC BECAUSE HE DID NOT WANT TO HAVE TO OPERATE THE AIRCRAFT IN A SLOW FLIGHT REGIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7147W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7147W-2013-09-26), registration cancelled 2013-09-26, S/N 122 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CUSTOM AEROTECH, INC. WHITE LIGHTNING (WHITE LIGH)
- Registry model: [Custom Aeroteck WLAC-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/custom-aeroteck-wlac-1) (registry code 05616R4) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 122
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Custom Aerotech
- Departed: 1C1, PAXTON, IL
- Airport: OSH, Wittman Field, runway 27, 6,166 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,100 total, 50 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: OSH, 1 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 19900725029119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900725029119A), Jul 25, 1990: Amtrli WHTLIGHTING, Oshkosh, WI, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Stalled and spun into lake winnebago while slo wing and s turning for slower traffic. Kit built had high stall speed

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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