# NTSB MIA87LA138: Cremer VP-1, N70PJ, Tupelo, MS, April 19, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 19, 1987, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Tupelo, MS
- Coordinates: 34.260799, -88.729919 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2608&lon=-88.7299&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31896
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87LA138
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31896/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA138

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - ignition system,ignition coil - output low (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - ignition system,spark plug - contamination (cause)
- Undershoot, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

ACFT LOST ENGINE POWER ON SHORT FINAL APPROACH. ACFT STALLED AND TOUCHED DOWN HARD SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. THE ACFT THEN COLLIDED WITH THE RAISED EDGE OF THE RUNWAY COLLAPSING THE MAIN GEAR AND THEN NOSING OVER. THE PILOT ATTRIBUTED THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER TO A WEAK MAGNETO COIL WHICH HE HAD BEEN ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR. THE WEAK COIL ALLOWED FOR A WEAK SPARK AT THE SPARK PLUGS WHICH ALLOWED THE PLUGS TO FOUL AND THE ENGINE NOT TO RESPOND QUICKLY TO POWER INCREASES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N70PJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N70PJ-1989-10-10), registration cancelled 1989-10-10, S/N ES70 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CREMER VP-1
- Registry model: [Cremer VP-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/cremer-vp-1) (registry code 0562012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: ES-70
- Airframe hours: 275
- Engines: VOLKSWAGEN 1600 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Zeke L.E. Lamb
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 4, 1986
- Airport: Lamb, runway 36, 1,650 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 448 total, 1 in this make and model, 386 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUP, 16 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 19870419010319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870419010319A), Apr 19, 1987: Amtrev VOLKSPLNEVP1, Tupelo, MS, Destroyed. The aircraft landed short. The pilot reported loss of engine powr due to weak magneto.

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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