# NTSB FTW89DRA07: Lowe/Bensen KB-2, N7037K, Wharton, TX, July 14, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 13, 1989, 19:45 local (Jul 14, 1989, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Wharton, TX
- Coordinates: 29.310386, -96.090934 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3104&lon=-96.0909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22720
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89DRA07
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22720/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89DRA07

## Probable cause

POOR JUDGEMENT BY THE STUDENT PILOT BY PERFORMING EXCESSIVE/LOW ALTITUDE MANEUVERS, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT CLEARANCE (ALTITUDE) ABOVE THE OPEN FIELD.  HIS LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRCRAFT WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - open field
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT OF N7037K WAS IN A FLT OF 2 GYROPLANES, FLYING IN-TRAIL OF THE OTHER ACFT. WHEN LAST SEEN BY THE LEAD PLT, N7037K WAS BEHIND, MAKING A DIVING MANEUVER TOWARD THE GROUND. THE LEAD PLT STATED THAT THRU-OUT THEIR FLT, THE PLT OF THE ADCNT ACFT HAD BEEN FLYING AT ALTITUDES RANGING FM 1000' AGL TO 50' AGL, MAKING STEEP TURNS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO TREES & TERRAIN. THE LEAD PLT DID NOT SEE N7037K CRASH, BUT FOUND IT LATER, IN THE VICINITY OF WHERE HE LAST SAW IT. N7037K WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGE; THERE WAS LITTLE FORWARD MOVEMENT OF THE GYROPLANE AFTER IMPACT. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL FAILURE WAS FOUND. THERE WERE NO KNOWN WITNESSES TO THE ACDNT. THE PLT OF N7037K HELD ONLY A STUDENT PLT CERTIFICATE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7037K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7037K-1990-08-10), registration cancelled 1990-08-10, S/N 6654 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LOWE/BENSEN KB-2
- Registry model: [Lowe David L KB 2](https://openairdocs.org/model/lowe-david-l-kb-2) (registry code 130014V) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 6654
- Airframe hours: 16
- Engines: MCCULLOCH AFO-0100-3 40 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David L. Lowe
- Registered owner: Lowe, David L
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 10, 1989, 16 hours before
- Departed: 5R5, WHARTON, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 16 total, 16 in this make and model, 16 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 145° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 63 °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 19890713022369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890713022369A), Jul 13, 1989: Amtr KB2, Wharton, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Observed flying low, lost control and crashed. No solo endorsement in the gyroplane.

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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