# NTSB LAX83FA453: Kecskes DER Jager D-1X, N3727, Clearlake Oaks, CA, September 21, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 21, 1983, 09:19 local (16:19 UTC)
- Place: Clearlake Oaks, CA
- Coordinates: 39.050651, -122.5494 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0507&lon=-122.5494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23513
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA453
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23513/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA453

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND WHILE PERFORMING LOW ALT AEROBATICS AT A PRIVATE RANCH STRIP. THIS SHOW HAD BECOME A REGULAR WED MORNING EVENT TO ENTERTAIN GUEST. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES THE ACFT HAD DONE ROLLS LOOPS AND PULL-UPS. AFTER A LOW PASS THE ACFT PULLED UP EXECUTED A HAMMERHEAD OR WING OVER, MADE A LEFT TURN AND DOVE INTO THE GROUND. THE ENGINE WAS DEVELOPING POWER PRIOR TO IMPACT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OR ANY PRE-IMPACT DISCREPANCIES OF THE ACFT OR ENGINE. THE PLTS AUTOPSY AND TOXICOLOGY REPORTS WERE NEGATIVE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3727](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3727-1991-06-24), registration cancelled 1991-06-24, S/N 072 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: KECSKES DER JAGER D-1X (DER JAGER)
- Registry model: [Kecskes DER JAGER D 1X](https://openairdocs.org/model/kecskes-der-jager-d-1x) (registry code 0562817) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 078
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235C1 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas Dale Willhite
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: High Valley

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19830921050089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830921050089A), Sep 21, 1983: Amtrwh DERJAGER, Clearlake Oaks, CA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Series of low level acrobatics. On last maneuver. Hammerhead stall of wing over. No room to recover vertical dive.

## Other investigations on N3727 (1)

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.

- [NTSB OAK78DVG03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK78DVG03), Oct 19, 1977: Keoske EXP D1X (N3727), Lakeport, CA, substantial damage

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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