# NTSB FTW87DRA08: Arnold VP-2, N356AA, Baytown, TX, August 8, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1987, 09:20 local (14:20 UTC)
- Place: Baytown, TX
- Coordinates: 29.800796, -94.969024 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8008&lon=-94.9690&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 May 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22193
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87DRA08
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22193/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87DRA08

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - powerplant - undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE NEWLY CONSTRUCTED HOMEBUILT ACFT EXPERIENCED AN ENG FAILURE DURING IT'S FIRST TAKEOFF. DURING THE ENSUING FORCED LANDING THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES, SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGING BOTH WINGS. THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED DURING THE INVESTIGATION. THE ACFT WRECKAGE WAS DISPOSED OF BEFORE AN ENG TEARDOWN COULD BE ACCOMPLISHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N356AA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N356AA-2002-12-03), registration cancelled 2002-12-03, S/N AWA002 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ARNOLD VP-2
- Registry model: [Arnold Alan WW EVANS VP-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/arnold-alan-ww-evans-vp-2) (registry code 056361T) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: AWA 001
- Engines: HAPI 1-835 70 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Alan W. Arnold
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 8, 1987
- Airport: HPY, Baytown, runway 13, 4,000 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 125 total, 45 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19870808043159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870808043159A), Aug 8, 1987: Amtrev VOLKSPLNEVP2, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. Engine failed on climbout on first flight on homebuilt aircraft. Struck a tree on forced landing.

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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