# NTSB DEN86LA203: Rotec Panther II Plus, N990RE, Sundance, WY, July 20, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 20, 1986, 11:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Sundance, WY
- Coordinates: 44.399021, -104.369865 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3990&lon=-104.3699&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17017
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA203
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17017/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA203

## 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
  - altitude - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT SAID THAT ON THE FIRST FLIGHT OF N990RE, THE VEHICLE REVEALED SOME UNDESIRABLE FLT CONTROL CHARACTERISTICS. HE SAID THAT AFTER LANDING HE INSTALLED BOTH DOORS AND THEN ATTEMPTED ANOTHER TAKE OFF. IT WAS SHORTLY AFTER TAKE OFF THAT THE PLT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED HOWEVER, THE PILOT WAS UNINJURED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N990RE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N990RE-1991-05-01), registration cancelled 1991-05-01, S/N 69043 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROTEC PANTHER II PLUS (PANTHER II)
- Registry model: [Lenz'S Traniler Sales PANTHER 2 PLUS](https://openairdocs.org/model/lenz-s-traniler-sales-panther-2-plus) (registry code 05676K6) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 69043
- Airframe hours: 1
- Engines: Rotax 532 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gaylord G. Lenz
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 20, 1986, 1 hours before
- Departed: SUNDANCE, WY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,070 total, 1 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19860720034289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860720034289A), Jul 20, 1986: Amtrre PANTHER2, Sundance, WY, Substantial damage. After liftoff, aircraft pulled right. Left rudder applied, turned and wing struck the ground. Aircraft nosed down.

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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