# NTSB FTW88DRG06: Hodges Condor III +2, N5539Z, Canyon Lake, TX, February 21, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: February 21, 1988, 17:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Canyon Lake, TX
- Coordinates: 29.700008, -98.10987 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7000&lon=-98.1099&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22511
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88DRG06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22511/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88DRG06

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - ignition system,ignition switch - switched off (cause)
- Hard landing, descent

## Analysis

THE HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE WAS BEING FLOWN BY THE NEW OWNER AND HIS SON.  AFTER TWO TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS, THE AIRPLANE WAS 5O FEET IN THE AIR WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT.  THE PILOT STATED IN HIS REPORT, 'WE SUSPECT A KILL SWITCH WAS INADVERTENTLY TOUCHED AND THIS WAS CAUSE OF UNTIMELY LOSS OF POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5539Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5539Z-2013-04-02), registration cancelled 2013-04-02, S/N 83-127-3-2 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HODGES CONDOR III +2 (CONDOR III)
- Registry model: [Hodges WM Hal CONDOR III+2](https://openairdocs.org/model/hodges-wm-hal-condor-iii-plus-2) (registry code 05675D9) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 8312732
- Airframe hours: 53
- Engines: KAWASAKI TA-440O 40 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John Barnett
- Registered owner: William H. Hodges
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, February 21, 1988, 1 hours before
- Airport: runway 20, 1,200 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 920 total, 3 in this make and model, 800 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAT, 20 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 19880221033719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880221033719A), Feb 21, 1988: Amtr CONDOR, Canyon Lake, TX, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff. Crash landed off end of runway. Pilot accidentally hit killswitch placed close to the yoke.

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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