# NTSB IAD97LA017: Vanatta KR-2, N85JV, Blackstone, VA, November 6, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 6, 1996, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Blackstone, VA - Coordinates: 37.069358, -77.999496 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0694&lon=-77.9995&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 January 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28160 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD97LA017 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28160/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD97LA017 ## Probable cause loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s), and failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a loss of control (stall) and collision with the ground. ## 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 (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - Loss of control - in flight, emergency landing after takeoff - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis Witnesses stated that they saw the airplane takeoff from runway 22, in a shallow climb, and the engine sputtered and quit. The airplane rocked side to side, then started turning right, then rolled left until it was inverted. The airplane struck the ground inverted about 150 feet off the right side of the runway. There was about 1500 feet of runway remaining when the engine stopped and the airplane turned right. No reason was found for the loss of engine lost power. ## Factual narrative On November 6, 1996 about 1645 eastern standard time, a Vanatta KR-2 amateur built experimental airplane, N85JV, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain after a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff at the Allen C. Perkinson Municipal Airport, Blackstone, Virginia. The pilot, the sole occupant, was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The local flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated approximately 1644 edt. Witnesses stated that they saw the airplane takeoff from runway 22, in a shallow climb and the engine sputtered and quit. The airplane rocked side to side then started turning right then rolled left until it was inverted. The airplane stuck the ground inverted about 150 feet off the right side of the runway. There was about 1500 feet of runway remaining when the engine stopped and the airplane turned right. During examination of the wreckage the FAA was able to establish flight control continuity, and that the propeller was not rotating at impact. In addition, they found that the engine crankshaft was broken off at the propeller flange, and the magneto housing was crushed. A determination as to why the engine quit shortly after takeoff was not possible due to impact damage. An interview with the pilot found that he was unable to remember any of the events that occurred during the accident. The pilot was sent an NTSB Form 6120.1/2, Pilot Operator Report on November 13, 1996, but it had not been returned at the time of this report. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N85JV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N85JV-1998-04-04), registration cancelled 1998-04-04, S/N 408701401 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: VANATTA KR-2 - Registry model: [Vanatta Jerry N KR-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/vanatta-jerry-n-kr-2) (registry code 05648UK) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 408701401 - Airframe hours: 76 - Engines: Volkswagen reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Keefe E. Wickey - Departed: BKT - Airport: BKT, Blackstone, runway 22, 4,632 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 440 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FVX ## 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 19961106034859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961106034859A), Nov 6, 1996: Amtr KR2, Blackstone, VA, Substantial damage. Lost power on clibout. Rolled inverted. Crashed. Power loss not known. Pilot panicked. Lost control. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.