# NTSB LAX93LA032: R.W. Sherman Turbulent, N84766, Adelanto, CA, November 7, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 7, 1992, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Adelanto, CA
- Coordinates: 34.659832, -117.510246 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6598&lon=-117.5102&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27858
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA032
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27858/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA032

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER EMERGENCY DECISION TO ATTEMPT TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE AREA.  CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE UNDETERMINED LOSS OF POWER, INADEQUATE ALTITUDE, AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE AIRSPEED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS DEPARTING A DRY LAKE BED ON A LOCAL FLIGHT. GROUND WITNESSES REPORTED THAT UPON REACHING BETWEEN 50 AND 60 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND THE ENGINE SUSTAINED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER.  INSTEAD OF LANDING STRAIGHT AHEAD IN THE OPEN AREA THE PILOT ELECTED TO EXECUTE A RIGHT TURN. THE AIRCRAFT STALLED DURING THE TURN AND PLUNGED NOSE DOWN INTO THE GROUND.  THE ENGINE EXAMINATION DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY INTERNAL CATASTROPHIC FAILURES.  THE AIRFRAME FUEL SYSTEM AND THE ENGINE ACCESSORIES WERE DESTROYED.  THE AIRCRAFT'S MAINTENANCE RECORDS DISCLOSED THAT THE PILOT/OWNER/BUILDER HAD NOT PERFORMED ANY CONDITION INSPECTIONS AS REQUIRED BY CURRENT FEDERAL AIR REGULATIONS SINCE IT RECEIVED ITS SPECIAL EXPERIMENTAL AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATE ON OCT 22, 1986.  THE PILOT'S RECORDS WERE NOT RECOVERED.  ACCORDING TO THE FAA, THE PILOT RECEIVED HIS LAST SECOND CLASS MEDICAL CERTIFICATE ON DECEMBER 27, 1990. HE INDICATED ON THE MEDICAL APPLICATION FORM THAT HE HAD ACCRUED 430 HOURS.  THE AIRCRAFT LOG BOOK REVEALED THAT THE PILOT HAD FLOWN THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT FOR 5 HOURS AND 12 MINUTES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N84766](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N84766-1992-11-07), registration cancelled 1992-11-07, S/N RWS-2, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: R.W. SHERMAN TURBULENT
- Registry model: [Sherman Richard W TURBULENT](https://openairdocs.org/model/sherman-richard-w-turbulent) (registry code 05608H4) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: RWS-2
- Airframe hours: 5
- Engines: Volkswagen 45 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mcrorey, Loelan J.
- Registered owner: Mcrorey, Loelan J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, October 22, 1986, 5 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 430 total, 5 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19921107045729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921107045729A), Nov 7, 1992: Amtrsg TURBULENT, Adelanto, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Engine quit on climbout. Began turn back. Stalled and crashed. Cause power loss could not be determined.

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.