# NTSB MKC90DPG01: Volksplane WE-1, N3938, Wooster, AR, March 18, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: March 18, 1990, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Wooster, AR
- Coordinates: 35.220935, -92.379882 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2209&lon=-92.3799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34869
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90DPG01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34869/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90DPG01

## Probable cause

THE POWER LOSS FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS AND THE INADVERTENT STALL. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - proper climb rate - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT A POWER LOSS OCCURRED AT ABOUT 200 FEET AGL AFTER TAKEOFF, FOLLOWED BY A 'STALL WITH INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE FOR RECOVERY.' HE FURTHER REPORTED THAT THE 'MAXIMUM TAKEOFF CLIMB WAS AT LEAST PARTIALLY TO BLAME FOR LOSS OF CONTROL.' THE ENGINE WAS A MODIFIED VOLKSWAGON UNCERTIFIED POWERPLANT. FAA INSPECTORS REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE APPEARED TO BE DEVELOPING POWER AT IMPACT. NO CAUSE FOR A LOSS OF POWER WAS DISCOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3938](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3938-2012-11-14), registration cancelled 2012-11-14, S/N HT-1, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: VOLKSPLANE WE-1
- Registry model: [Volksplane WE-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/volksplane-we-1) (registry code 056016M) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: HT-1
- Airframe hours: 300
- Engines: Volkswagen 1500-S 64 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard L. Schorey
- Registered owner: Thomas Henry
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 14, 1988
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: center; flight hours: 2,300 total, 15 in this make and model, 2,300 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 46 °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 19900318004839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900318004839A), Mar 18, 1990: Amtren VOLKSPLANE*, Conway, AR, Destroyed. Stalled and crashed on climbout from farm field.

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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