# NTSB LAX88DVA04: Schumann KR-2, N127AS, Merced, CA, May 2, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: May 2, 1988, 11:19 local (18:19 UTC)
- Place: Merced, CA
- Coordinates: 37.34967, -120.420768 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3497&lon=-120.4208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25743
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88DVA04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25743/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88DVA04

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS FLIGHT TESTING A NEW AIRPLANE THAT HE HAD CONSTRUCTED. HE HAD COMPLETED TWO TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS. DURING A THIRD APPROACH, WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE APPROACHING THE RUNWAY AT A VERY HIGH AIRSPEED. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN ON THE RUNWAY AND PORPOISED. AFTER TOUCHING DOWN ON THE RUNWAY TWO MORE TIMES, THE AIRPLANE DOVE TO THE LEFT AND CRASHED IN A FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N127AS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N127AS-2013-07-09), registration cancelled 2013-07-09, S/N 7102, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHUMANN KR-2
- Registry model: [Schumann Alvin Marvin KR-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/schumann-alvin-marvin-kr-2) (registry code 05648XB) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Limbach LIMBACH L2000](https://openairdocs.org/engine/limbach-limbach-l2000) (registry code 38601, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 7102
- Airframe hours: 1
- Engines: LIMBACH L2000E01 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Alvin M. Schumann
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: MCE, Merced, runway 30, 5,903 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,520 total, 1 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCE, 1 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 19880502012129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880502012129A), May 2, 1988: Amtr KR2, Merced, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Bounced and porpoised on landing. Cartwheeled, exploded and burned. Pilot had no skill in type or proper checkout.

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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