# NTSB CHI95LA339: Mcclintic-Piercie KR-1, N9975A, Scotts, MI, September 28, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 28, 1995, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Scotts, MI
- Coordinates: 42.18964, -85.409576 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1896&lon=-85.4096&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 17, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10046
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA339
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10046/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA339

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed.

## 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)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

Witnesses reported a red airplane flying in the vicinity of the accident site.  No eyewitnesses to the accident were located.  The smell of fuel permeated the accident site.  The blades of the wooden propeller were splintered near the hub.  All airframe components were located at the site with no evidence of preimpact structural failure.  Examination of control system continuity revealed no evidence of preimpact malfunction.  Crush angles and ground scars corresponded to a pitch attitude of approximately 45 degrees nose low, with evidence of rotation to the left.

## Factual narrative

On September 28, 1995, about 1900 eastern daylight time, a Mcclintic-Piercie KR-1, N9975A, was destroyed when it impacted the terrain in Scotts, Michigan.  The solo private pilot sustained fatal injuries.  The planned destination and departure location of the personal, 14 CFR Part 91 flight are unknown. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

According to witnesses, interviewed by the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Department, a "red airplane" was observed flying in the vicinity of the accident site about 1830.  The wreckage was discovered about 1900.  No eyewitnesses to the accident were located.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspectors who examined the wreckage reported that the smell of fuel permeated the accident site.  The blades of the wooden propeller were splintered near the hub.  They reported that all airframe components were located at the site with no evidence of preimpact structural failure. Examination of control system continuity revealed no evidence of preimpact malfunction.  Crush angles and ground scars corresponded to a pitch attitude of approximately 45 degrees nose low, with evidence of "rotation to the left."

Autopsy of the pilot was conducted at the Bronson Methodist Hospital, 252 E. Lovell Street, Kalamazoo, Michigan, 49007.

FAA toxicological testing was negative for all tests conducted.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9975A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9975A-2013-11-12), registration cancelled 2013-11-12, S/N 8671789, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MCCLINTIC-PIERCIE KR-1
- Registry model: [Mcclintic-Piercie KR-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcclintic-piercie-kr-1) (registry code 05648S5) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 8671789
- Engines: Volkswagen reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John M. Yoha
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: UNKNOWN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 200 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AZO, 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 19950928035589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950928035589A), Sep 28, 1995: Amtrrn KR1, Scotts, MI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Wreckage indicates a stall spin accident. No witnesses. (-23) after investigating the accident it appears that the aircraft was in a spin when it impacted the…

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.