# NTSB DEN90LA067: Heindenreich Fokker DR-1, N72517, Kalispell, MT, February 23, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 23, 1990, 16:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Kalispell, MT
- Coordinates: 48.190441, -114.37957 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1904&lon=-114.3796&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17898
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA067
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17898/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA067

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL. HIS LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THIS AIRCRAFT WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## 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 - final approach
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID HE WAS MAKING HIS FIRST FLIGHT IN THIS AMATEUR BUILT FOKKER TRI-PLANE REPLICA. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT ON FINAL APPROACH FOR LANDING WHEN IT BEGAN A RIGHT TURN. AFTER TURNING ABOUT 180 DEGREES THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A SPIN AND CRASHED. THE PILOT SAID ONE OR TWO OF THE WINGS STALLED. AN FAA INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE WRECKAGE & REPORTED THAT HE DID NOT OBSERVE ANY PHYSICAL EVIDENCE TO EXPLAIN THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N72517](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N72517), registered now, S/N H-1, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HEINDENREICH FOKKER DR-1 (FOKKER DR-)
- Registry model: [Heidenreich Frank W FOKKER DR-I](https://openairdocs.org/model/heidenreich-frank-w-fokker-dr-i) (registry code 0566384) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Warner SCARAB series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/warner-scarab-series) (registry code 64502, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: H-1
- Engines: WARNER SCARAB 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James E. Smith
- Departed: FCA
- Destination: FCA
- Airport: FCA, Glacier Park, runway 20, 8,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 500 total, 450 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900223002639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900223002639A), Feb 23, 1990: Amtrrf FOKKERDR1, Kalispell, MT, Substantial damage. Stalled and entered a spin turning final for landing. Was first flight in single seat homebuilt.

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.