# NTSB MKC85LA090: Lester F.W. West VP-1, N80LW, Taylor, MO, April 26, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 26, 1985, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Taylor, MO
- Coordinates: 39.929191, -91.520805 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9292&lon=-91.5208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33931
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85LA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33931/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA090

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - all available runway - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - performance data - not understood, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT USED ONLY HALF OF THE AVAILABLE 2900 FEET OF RUNWAY ON HIS FIRST FLIGHT IN THIS HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE. HE LOST FLYING SPEED CLIMBING OVER WIRES AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY, WENT AROUND TREES AND LANDED HARD ON A HIGHWAY MEDIAN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N80LW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N80LW-2013-06-05), registration cancelled 2013-06-05, S/N 2230, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LESTER F.W. WEST VP-1
- Registry model: [West Lester F VOLKSPLANE VP-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/west-lester-f-volksplane-vp-1) (registry code 05635B6) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 2230
- Engines: VOLKSWAGEN 0 reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Russell W. Wignall Sr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: K04, Haerr, runway 15, 2,900 × 115 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 2,080 total, 1,821 as pilot in command, 123 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19850426027719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850426027719A), Apr 26, 1985: Amtrev VOLKSPLNEVP1, Taylor, MO, Destroyed. Pilot only used a portion of runway for takeoff. Unable to climb over wires went around trees, landed hard.

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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