# NTSB FTW83LA295: Kate 301, N3239G, Nas Kingsville, TX, June 25, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 25, 1983, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Nas Kingsville, TX
- Coordinates: 27.499063, -97.860206 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.4991&lon=-97.8602&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20946
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA295
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20946/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA295

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE HOME BUILT ACFT WAS BUILT FROM PARTS OF A NORTH AMERICAN SNJ-4 & BT-13. IT WAS MADE TO RESEMBLE A WW-II JAPANESE KATE BOMBER & WAS BEING USED IN A CONFEDERATE AIR FORCE SHOW TO SMIULATE LOW LEVEL BOMBING RUNS. BETWEEN PASSES, THE PLT MADE 90-270 DEG TURNS, SIMILAR TO CROP DUSTER TURNS. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE 'PULLED TOO HARD IN THE TURN ON A HOT DAY', ENTERED A HIGH SPEED STALL & CRASHED. HE REPORTED THE TEMP WAS 96 DEG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3239G (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: KATE 301
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 90950
- Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Confederate Air Force Inc.
- Last inspection: Annual, May 31, 1983
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: NQI, Nas Kingsville, runway 3, 8,000 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,984 total, 12 in this make and model, 12 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 3 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NQI

## 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 19830625026769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830625026769A), Jun 25, 1983: Namer STCT6, Kingsville, TX, Destroyed. Aircraft stalled and crashed during low level demonstration at air show.

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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