# NTSB LAX83LVW01: Amateur Built Quickie Q2, N1234, Death Valley, CA, November 14, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: November 14, 1982, 11:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Death Valley, CA
- Coordinates: 36.599956, -116.830856 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6000&lon=-116.8309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70426
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LVW01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70426/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LVW01

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHEN HE WAS ABOUT 100 FROM THE TOUCHDOWN POINT, "THE BOTTOM FELL OUT AND WE HIT GROUND." AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PLANE INITIALLY IMPACTED WITH A 6 FT SAND DUNE ABOUT 60 FT FROM THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY. THERE WAS ANOTHER AIRCRAFT IN THE PATTERN BEHIND N1234. THE PILOT OF THE OTHER PLANE DID NOT SEE THE ACTUAL IMPACT, BUT HE REPORTED THAT N1234 FLEW A LONG DOWNWIND AND A LONG, LOW FINAL APPROACH. HE STATED THAT THE AIR WAS SMOOTH EXCEPT FOR SOME THERMALS ON DOWNWIND. HE SAW THE DUST FROM THE CRASH AND SAID IT ROSE NEARLY STRAIGHT-UP AND DRIFTED GRADUALLY. ALSO, HE NOTICED NO UNUSUAL WEATHER CONDITIONS WHEN HE LANDED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1234 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AMATEUR BUILT QUICKIE Q2
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 2307
- Airframe hours: 95
- Engines: VOLKSWAGEN REVMASTER 64 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas H. Newhard
- Registered owner: Thomas H. Newhard
- Departed: CMA, CAMARILLO, CA
- Destination: SUFFOLK, VA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: L06, Death Valley Airport, runway 33, 3,040 × 72 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 685 total, 95 in this make and model, 655 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 75 statute miles
- Temperature: 127 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAS, 85 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 19821114058439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821114058439A), Nov 14, 1982: Amtrqk QUICKIE, Death Valley, CA, Destroyed. Aircraft hit short of runway and flipped inverted. Pilot claims downdraft, but following aircraft had no problem.

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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