# NTSB LAX90DUG11: Volksplane WE-1, N91RR, El Mirage, CA, September 30, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: September 29, 1990, 17:00 local (Sep 30, 1990, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: El Mirage, CA
- Location: 34.6022° N, 117.6312° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of El Mirage, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6022&lon=-117.6312&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 November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26540
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90DUG11
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26540/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90DUG11

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED.

## 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
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vso) - not maintained, 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

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOOKOFF FROM A DRY LAKE BED INTO A LEFT QUARTERING CROSSWIND. VIDEO TAPE AND GROUND WITNESSES DESCRIBED A NSOE HIGH ATTITUDE AFTER LIFTOFF PRIOR TO THE PILOT INITIATING A TURN TO THE RIGHT. DURING THE TURN THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND FELL RIGHT WING DOWN AND NOSE LOW TO GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N91RR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N91RR-2013-04-26), registration cancelled 2013-04-26, S/N 8792252 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: VOLKSPLANE WE-1
- Registry model: [Rhoads Richard R WE 1 VOLKSPLANE](https://openairdocs.org/model/rhoads-richard-r-we-1-volksplane) (registry code 05635G9) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 8792252
- Engines: Volkswagen 1796 CC reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91 subpart F
- Operator: Turner, Fred L.
- Registered owner: Rhoads, Richard R
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; medical: invalid medical for flight; seat: front; flight hours: 100 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- 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 19900929043469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900929043469A), Sep 29, 1990: Amtrev VOLKSPLNEVP1, Adelanto, CA, Substantial damage. No checkout in type. Made early nose high takeoff lost control. Dived into ground. Took off in quartering tailwind.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.