# NTSB LAX93LA135: Downer Aircraft Industries KR-1, N9HD, Prescott, AZ, February 23, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 23, 1993, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Prescott, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.619884, -112.41957 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6199&lon=-112.4196&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 10, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27936
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA135
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27936/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA135

## Probable cause

THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF A SUITABLE LANDING AREA AT THE TIME OF THE POWER INTERRUPTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - fuel system - improper
  - exhaust system - improper
  - maintenance,installation - inadequate, manufacturer
  - insufficient standards/requirements, manufacturer
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - residential area (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE EXPERIMENTAL HOMEBUILT HAD ONLY BEEN OPERATED ABOUT 56 HOURS IN THE LAST 12 YEARS, WITH THE LAST FLIGHT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT LISTED IN THE AIRCRAFT LOG BOOK AS JUNE 16, 1992. THE PILOT MADE NO STATEMENT REGARDING THE ACCIDENT CIRCUMSTANCES. GROUND WITNESSES REPORTED HEARING AND OBSERVING THE AIRCRAFT DESCEND INTO A RESIDENTIAL AREA WITHOUT ANY APPARENT ENGINE POWER. FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTORS EXAMINED THE AIRCRAFT AND REPORTED FINDING MANY DISCREPANCIES IN THE AIRCRAFT SYSTEM DESIGNS AND INSTALLATIONS. THE FUEL SYSTEM CONSISTED OF A RUBBERMAID FIVE GALLON CONTAINER CONNECTED TO THE ENGINE WITH PLASTIC TUBING AND OPERATED BY A HAND WOBBLE PUMP. THE CARBURETOR HEAT SYSTEM CONSISTED OF PVC PLUMBING PIPE HELD TOGETHER AND SECURED TO BOTH THE ENGINE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND THE CARBURETOR WITH RTV SEALANT. THE FAA INSPECTORS REPORTED THAT THE EXAMINATION OF THE REVMASTER VW ENGINE ITSELF REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. REVIEW OF FAA RECORDS REVEALED THAT THE PILOT'S MEDICAL HAD EXPIRED. THE PILOT HAD HELD HIS PRIVATE CERTIFICATE FOR 40 YEARS AND HAD FLOWN 290 HOURS IN THAT TIME. THE AVAILABLE PILOT AND AIRCRAFT RECORDS DISCLOSED THAT THE PILOT HAD NOT FLOWN IN THE LAST SEVEN MONTHS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9HD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9HD-2015-05-04), registration cancelled 2015-05-04, S/N 001, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Downer Aircraft Industries KR-1
- Registry model: [Downard KR-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/downard-kr-1) (registry code 05648F1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 001
- Airframe hours: 56
- Engines: Revmaster 2100 CC 80 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert O. Woodward
- Registered owner: Robert O. Woodward
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 24, 1992, 6 hours before
- Departed: PRC
- Destination: PRC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: center; flight hours: 290 total, 15 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 65 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PRC, 10 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 19930223003139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930223003139A), Feb 23, 1993: Amtrrn KR1, Prescott, AZ, Destroyed. Lost power crashed in residents yard. Discrepancies five gallon gas tank in cockpit. Pvc pipe for carburetor heat.

## Other investigations on N9HD (1)

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.

- [NTSB OAK77DVG66](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK77DVG66), Sep 15, 1977: Home Built KR1 (N9HD), Redding, CA, substantial damage

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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