# NTSB LAX89DUG04: Holman/Sears HS-1, N90HS, Rialto, CA, May 27, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: May 27, 1989, 11:26 local (18:26 UTC)
- Place: Rialto, CA
- Coordinates: 34.100246, -117.379653 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1002&lon=-117.3797&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 September 5, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26122
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89DUG04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26122/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89DUG04

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED, WHILE TURNING AFTER TAKEOFF, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL/SPIN. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE:  IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT BY TEST FLYING AN AIRPLANE THAT HE WAS NOT PROPERLY CERTIFICATED TO OPERATE, HIS LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRCRAFT, AND OVERCONFIDENCE IN HIS PERSONAL ABILITY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - qualification, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT/CO-OWNER HAD ONLY A GLIDER CERTIFICATE, BUT HE ELECTED TO FLY THE HOME BUILT AIRPLANE ON ITS MAIDEN FLIGHT. AFTER DEPARTING ON RUNWAY 24, HE INITIATED A RIGHT TURN ABOUT 3/4 MILE WEST OF THE AIRPORT. WHILE TURNING AT ABOUT 200 FT AGL, THE AIRPLANE ENTERED A SPIN & IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A VERTICAL DESCENT. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE PILOT HAD ABOUT 82 HRS OF FLIGHT TIME, OF WHICH, APRX 25 HRS WERE IN SINGLE ENGINE AIRPLANES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90HS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90HS-1991-12-13), registration cancelled 1991-12-13, S/N HS001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HOLMAN/SEARS HS-1
- Registry model: [Holman H L/Sears H O HS 1](https://openairdocs.org/model/holman-h-l-sears-h-o-hs-1) (registry code 05612TB) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: N90HS
- Airframe hours: 11
- Engines: ITAL-AMERICAN KFM-107E 30 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Sears, Howard
- Registered owner: Holman, Howard L., Howard O.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 24, 1989
- Departed: L67
- Airport: L67, Rialto, runway 24, 4,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 82 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RAL, 11 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 19890527012939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890527012939A), May 27, 1989: Amtr HS1, Rialto, CA, Substantial damage. Stalled and spun in after starting a low level turn on climbout. Report says first flight of this aircraft.

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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