# NTSB FTW92LA016: Balkema/Boven Kestrel Hawk, N601AS, West Memphis, AR, October 31, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 31, 1991, 14:50 local (20:50 UTC)
- Place: West Memphis, AR
- Location: 35.1496° N, 90.1993° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of West Memphis, AR, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1496&lon=-90.1993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18403
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18403/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA016

## Probable cause

THE PILOT ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO ENTER AN INADVERTENT STALL DURING FLARE AT EXCESSIVE ALTITUDE WHILE EXECUTING THE FORCED LANDING. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT IN COMMAND AND UNAUTHORIZED PERSON PERFORMED CARBURETOR MAINTENANCE ADJUSTMENTS PRIOR TO FLIGHT, AND THE USE OF AN IMPROPER GRADE FUEL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - fluid,fuel grade - improper (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command
  - fuel system,line - other
  - maintenance,adjustment - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,adjustment - performed, other person (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

DURING A DAYTIME EXTENDED DOWNWIND APPROACH AT 300 FEET AGL, THE PILOT ALLOWED THE AIRSPEED TO DROP BELOW 50 MPH. THE ENGINE RPM DECREASED BELOW 1500 RPM AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER. THE PILOT MADE A DESCENDING RIGHT TURN FOR THE FORCED LANDING INTO A FIELD. AT APPROXIMATELY 40 FEET AGL, THE PILOT FLARED THE AIRPLANE, BUT LOST CONTROL AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN IN A VERTICAL DESCENT. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION TO FLIGHT CONTROLS OR STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS WERE FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION. ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER'S LIMITATIONS, IMPROPER FUEL WAS IN THE AIRPLANE. THE MANUFACTURER'S FLIGHT MANUAL DID NOT ADDRESS NORMAL OR EMERGENCY PROCEDURES FOR THE AIRPLANE WHEN FLOAT EQUIPPED. THE OPERATOR WHO WAS INVOLVED IN THE MAINTENANCE OF THE AIRPLANE, REPORTED A HISTORY OF FUEL VAPORIZATION IN THE FUEL LINES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N601AS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N601AS-1998-01-10), registration cancelled 1998-01-10, S/N 0012 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BALKEMA/BOVEN KESTREL HAWK (KESTREL HA)
- Registry model: [Balkema J / Boven L KESTREL HAWK](https://openairdocs.org/model/balkema-j-boven-l-kestrel-hawk) (registry code 95708AW) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 0012
- Engines: NORTON NR642-GF-90E 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Anupinder Singh Guron
- Registered owner: West Memphis Jet Center
- Airport: AWM, West Memphis, runway 17, 5,003 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,506 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 1,400 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken
- 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 19911031053579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911031053579A), Oct 31, 1991: Amtr HAWK, West Memphis, AR, Substantial damage. Made go around. Cut back power on downwind. Engine quit. Stalled on landing. Manufacturer had designated auto fuel.

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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