# NTSB FTW92DRA04: Evans VP-1, N73VP, Friendswood, TX, August 8, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1992, 13:40 local (18:40 UTC)
- Place: Friendswood, TX
- Coordinates: 29.510662, -95.190093 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5107&lon=-95.1901&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18328
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92DRA04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18328/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92DRA04

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER DESCENT RATE DURING THE FORCED LANDING.  A FACTOR WAS THE ENGINE POWER LOSS FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF, THE ENGINE RPM BEGAN TO DROP AND AS IT WENT BELOW 2,200 THE AIRPLANE WAS UNABLE TO SUSTAIN LEVEL FLIGHT.  THE PILOT SUBSEQUENTLY LANDED HARD IN AN OPEN FIELD AND THE MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED.  THE PILOT STATED THAT THE RPM DECREASE CONTINUED THROUGH THE DESCENT AND TOUCHDOWN.  THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE POWER LOSS WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73VP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N73VP), registered now, S/N JL002, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Evans Aircraft VP-1
- Registry model: [Lambert EVANS VP-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/lambert-evans-vp-1) (registry code 0562452) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: JL002
- Engines: VOLKSWAGEN AB49020 60 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Husband, Bruce C.
- Registered owner: Husband, Bruce C.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, July 31, 1992, 1 hours before
- Departed: T02
- Destination: T02

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 200 total, 4 in this make and model, 175 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HOU, 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 19920808034669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920808034669A), Aug 8, 1992: Amtr VP1, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. Power loss on climbout, collapsed main gear on hard forced landing. Cause power loss undetermined.

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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