# NTSB LAX94LA118: Gansheimer Evans VP2, N187ES, Tucson, AZ, February 10, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 10, 1994, 11:13 local (18:13 UTC) - Place: Tucson, AZ - Coordinates: 32.329223, -111.04998 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3292&lon=-111.0500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 19, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28658 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA118 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28658/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA118 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to attain and maintain sufficient flying speed during the first flight test of his experimental homebuilt. A factor in the accident was the pilot's selection of a propeller inadequate for the airframe and engine combination. ## 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 - propeller system/accessories - inadequate (contributing factor) - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - acft/equip,inadequate design, pilot in command (contributing factor) - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot reported that the takeoff seemed fine until the aircraft got out of ground effect. The aircraft began oscillating in roll and did not want to climb. The pilot noted that the engine was producing full power throughout the sequence. According to the pilot, the aircraft 'mushed back to the ground at 500 feet per minute' and impacted the ground in a slight nose- high attitude about 300 feet off the end of the runway. The pilot said he believes the roll oscillation was caused by an impending stall buffet and the lack of thrust was due to the propeller being of insufficient size. ## Factual narrative On February 10, 1994, at 1113 mountain standard time, a homebuilt experimental Gansheimer Evans VP2 airplane, N187ES, experienced a thrust deficiency in the takeoff initial climb from runway 6L at Ryan Field, Tucson, Arizona. The aircraft subsequently stalled and mushed into the ground about 300 feet beyond the departure end of the runway. The aircraft was on the first test flight following construction completion and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification in the experimental category. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the mishap as a local area test flight. The pilot reported that the takeoff seemed fine until the aircraft got out of ground effect. The aircraft began oscillating in roll and did not want to climb. The pilot noted that the engine was producing full power throughout the sequence. According to the pilot, the aircraft "mushed back to the ground at 500 feet per minute" and impacted the ground in a slight nose- high attitude about 300 feet off the end of the runway. The pilot said he believes the roll oscillation was caused by an impending stall buffet and the lack of thrust was due to the propeller being of insufficient size. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N187ES](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N187ES-1995-03-13), registration cancelled 1995-03-13, S/N VP2187 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GANSHEIMER EVANS VP2 - Registry model: [Gansheimer Edgar L EVANS VP 2](https://openairdocs.org/model/gansheimer-edgar-l-evans-vp-2) (registry code 05623WG) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: VP-2-187 - Airframe hours: 10 - Engines: GANSHEIMER VW-1835-CC 60 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Gansheimer, Edger L. - Registered owner: Gansheimer, Edger L. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 27, 1993, 5 hours before - Airport: RYN, Ryan Field, runway 6L, 4,900 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 179 total, 10 in this make and model, 128 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19940210001989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940210001989A), Feb 10, 1994: Tucson, AZ, Substantial damage. Unable climb out of ground effect. Stall mushed to hard impact. Pilot beleives prop too small for sufficient thrust 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.