# NTSB CHI91DEV03: Hocker Dragonfly, N28P, Metropolis, IL, August 30, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 30, 1991, 11:50 local (16:50 UTC)
- Place: Metropolis, IL
- Coordinates: 37.149879, -88.709014 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1499&lon=-88.7090&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14863
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91DEV03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14863/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DEV03

## Probable cause

PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED ABOVE STALL.

## Analysis

A COMMERCIAL PILOT ON A LOCAL FLIGHT RETURNED TO LAND HIS HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE.  HE BOUNCED THE FIRST LANDING AND MADE TWO MORE CIRCUITS OF THE PATTERN WITHOUT TOUCHING DOWN.  ON THE FOURTH PASS, THE AIRPLANE WAS SEEN TO TURN STEEPLY TO FINAL, STALL AND SPIRAL TO GROUND ONE HALF MILE FROM THE RUNWAY.

## 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(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N28P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N28P-1994-07-18), registration cancelled 1994-07-18, S/N 268 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HOCKER DRAGONFLY
- Registry model: [Hocker Orville K DRAGONFLY](https://openairdocs.org/model/hocker-orville-k-dragonfly) (registry code 05647VU) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 268
- Engines: Hapi 60-20DM 45 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Orville K. Hocker
- Registered owner: Orville K. Hocker
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Airport: M30, Metropolis Muni., runway 36, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,000 total, 200 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,700 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PAH, 9 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 19910830037309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910830037309A), Aug 30, 1991: Amtr DRAGONFLY, Metropolis, IL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Testing new landing gear,became too slow turning final,third landing attempt. Stalled and spun into trees.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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