# NTSB LAX96LA112: Steeves KR2, N395DS, San Diego, CA, February 17, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 17, 1996, 14:14 local (22:14 UTC) - Place: San Diego, CA - Coordinates: 32.549156, -117.040237 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5492&lon=-117.0402&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report September 19, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29376 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA112 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29376/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA112 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain an adequate airspeed margin above stall, while at low altitude in the traffic pattern. His decision to explore the slow speed envelope of the aircraft at low altitude was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - downwind - weather condition - low ceiling - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - slow flight - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor) - speed brakes - selected, pilot in command - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The aircraft sat in storage for about 2 years with the wings off. After reassembly, the owner asked the pilot to test the aircraft. The ceiling was 1,000' overcast, and the pilot elected to fly the aircraft in the traffic pattern. The pilot made a short flight around the pattern, then landed and a minor discrepancy was fixed. He then departed on a second flight and made several low passes along the runway. The aircraft was on downwind when the aircraft owner and other witnesses saw it decelerate as if the pilot were exploring the slow flight regime. The aircraft appeared to stall, fall off on the right wing, and enter a spin that continued to ground impact. No discrepancies were found during an examination of the airframe and engine. The aircraft speed brakes were found extended. Control system continuity was established. ## Factual narrative On February 17, 1996, at 1414 hours Pacific standard time, a Steeves KR2 homebuilt experimental airplane, N395DS, collided with the ground following a loss of control while in the traffic pattern at Brown Field, San Diego, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The aircraft was destroyed in the ground collision sequence. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. The flight originated at Brown Field about 1400 on the day of the accident as a local area personal flight. According to FAA inspectors who responded to the accident site, examined the aircraft, and interviewed witnesses, the aircraft sat in storage for 2 years with the wings off. After reassembly, the owner asked the pilot to test the aircraft. The ceiling was 1,000 foot overcast and the pilot elected to fly the aircraft in the traffic pattern. The pilot flew the aircraft on a short flight around the pattern and a minor discrepancy was fixed. He then departed on the second flight and made several low passes along the runway. The aircraft was on downwind when the aircraft owner and other witnesses saw the aircraft noticeably slow down as if the pilot were exploring the slow flight regime. The aircraft appeared to stall, fall off on the right wing, and enter a spin that continued to ground impact. The FAA inspectors said that no discrepancies were found during the examination of the airframe and engine. The aircraft speed brakes were found extended. Control system continuity was established. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N395DS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N395DS-2013-02-21), registration cancelled 2013-02-21, S/N 1394, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: STEEVES KR2 - Registry model: [Steeves Davis W KR-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/steeves-davis-w-kr-2) (registry code 05648SS) (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: 1394 - Airframe hours: 143 - Engines: Volkswagen 2180CC 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ronald L. Moore - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1996, 2 hours before - Departed: SDM - Airport: SDM, Brown Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; commercial, military, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,000 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 10 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SDM ## 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 19960217001909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960217001909A), Feb 17, 1996: Amtr KR2, San Diego, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Stored for two years prior. Owner had a pilot test fly homebuilt who then stalled and spun in flying low and slow. 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.