# NTSB LAX85LA174: Engel Engel AIR, N5823X, Truckee, CA, March 15, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 15, 1985, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Truckee, CA
- Location: 39.3201° N, 120.1396° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at TRUCKEE-TAHOE (TRK), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3201&lon=-120.1396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24677
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24677/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA174

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - running takeoff - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PLT BUILT THIS ACFT AND THIS WAS THE 4TH TEST FLIGHT. PLT WAS LINED UP ON RWY 28 FOR TAKEOFF. UPON ROLLING LIFT OFF PLT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND RAN INTO A TALL SNOW BANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5823X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5823X-2011-04-30), registration cancelled 2011-04-30, S/N 1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENGEL ENGEL AIR
- Registry model: [Engel Richard Alan KR-1 SPECIAL](https://openairdocs.org/model/engel-richard-alan-kr-1-special) (registry code 05648RP) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: HL-2
- Airframe hours: 5
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-75-8 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard A. Engel
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: PRK
- Airport: TRK, Truckee-Tahoe, runway 28, 6,400 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 276 total, 4 in this make and model, 276 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19850315007659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850315007659A), Mar 15, 1985: Amtrrn KR1, Truckee, CA, Destroyed. Lost directional control during takeoff roll and struck snowbank. Aircraft destroyed.

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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