# NTSB FTW91DRA06: Morrison-Keitel VOLKSPLANE-1, N37898, Woodbranch, TX, July 11, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 10, 1991, 19:15 local (Jul 11, 1991, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Woodbranch, TX
- Coordinates: 30.149404, -95.180694 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1494&lon=-95.1807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23219
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91DRA06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23219/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91DRA06

## Probable cause

THE AIRPLANE'S COLLISION WITH TREES FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES STATED THAT THEY OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE CIRCLING ABOVE TREES PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AND SOME OF THE WITNESSES STATED THAT THEY HEARD THE ENGINE 'SPUTTERING.'  THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES, ROLLED INVERTED, AND SUBSEQUENTLY IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A 45 DEGREE NOSE DOWN, WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE. NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT AIRFRAME FAILURE WAS FOUND AND NO DETERMINATION WAS MADE AS TO ENGINE OPERATION AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT HAD LOGGED ABOUT 12 HOURS IN THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE, ONE OF WHICH WAS IN THE 90 DAYS PRECEDING THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N37898](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N37898-2014-10-02), registration cancelled 2014-10-02, S/N KM1-65, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MORRISON-KEITEL VOLKSPLANE-1 (VOLKSPLANE)
- Registry model: [Morrison-Keitel VOLKSPLANE-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/morrison-keitel-volksplane-1) (registry code 0563588) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-145B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-145b-series) (registry code 41502, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: KM1-65
- Engines: LYCOMING O-145-D 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bobby L. Welch
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 9SX2, PORTER, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 219 total, 12 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °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 19910710027009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910710027009A), Jul 10, 1991: Amtrev VOLKSPLNEVP1, Woodbranch, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Crashed into trees after circling area. Aircraft intact prior to impact.

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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