# NTSB CHI91LA279: Varga 2180, N686EE, Decatur, IL, September 1, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 1, 1991, 16:37 local (21:37 UTC)
- Place: Decatur, IL
- Coordinates: 39.849807, -88.929733 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8498&lon=-88.9297&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 December 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15173
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA279
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15173/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA279

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION AND AIRPLANE PERFORMANCE DATA NOT UNDERSTOOD BY THE PILOT.  FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCIDENT ARE THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN TYPE OF OPERATION, DELAYED REMEDIAL ACTION, AND THE OPERATOR'S INSUFFICIENT STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - insufficient standards/requirements, company/operator mgmt (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - performance data - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - all available runway - not used, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - load jettison - not performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES AND TERRAIN WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CLIMB FROM TAKEOFF WITH A SAILPLANE IN TOW. THE SAILPLANE RELEASED FROM THE TOW PLANE AND RETURNED TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT.  ACCORDING TO THE PILOT THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED LIGHT TO MODERATE TURBULENCE DURING INITIAL CLIMB AND THE AIRPLANE SANK INTO TREES ONE MILE NORTH OF THE AIRPORT.  IN AN INTERVIEW AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE PILOT DID NOT REMEMBER DOING A WEIGHT AND BALANCE CALCULATION BEFORE TAKEOFF.  WHEN QUESTIONED ABOUT STALL RECOGNITION AND RECOVERY THE PILOT STATED THAT THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE WAS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER AIRCRAFT IN THAT YOU ONLY HAD TO HOLD THE NOSE UP AND THE AIRPLANE WOULD FLY ITSELF OUT.  THE DENSITY ALTITUDE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS 2500 FEET.  THE AIRPLANE WAS ESTIMATED TO BE AT OR SLIGHTLY ABOVE ALLOWABLE GROSS WEIGHT AT TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N686EE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N686EE-1991-12-16), registration cancelled 1991-12-16, S/N VAC17181 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: VARGA 2180
- Registry model: [Varga 2180](https://openairdocs.org/model/varga-2180) (registry code 9350104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: VAC17181
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Illinois Wing Civic Air Patrol
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Destination: 4K4, HILVETY, IL
- Airport: DEC, Decatur

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 142 total, 109 in this make and model, 48 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DEC, 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 19910901037399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910901037399A), Sep 1, 1991: Varga 2180VARGA, Decatur, IL, Destroyed. Took off glider in tow unable to climb. Glider released. Tow plane stalled. Over grossed hot day crosswind factors.

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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