# NTSB MKC90LA094: Bennett KR-1, N31123, Blytheville, AR, April 18, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 18, 1990, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Blytheville, AR
- Coordinates: 35.930374, -89.920578 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9304&lon=-89.9206&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 September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34968
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90LA094
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34968/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90LA094

## Probable cause

IMPROPER HANDLING OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING A HIGH SPEED TAXI.

## 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
  - weather condition - crosswind
  - weather condition - gusts
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE MAKING A FULL POWER GROUND RUN IN HIS NEWLY ACQUIRED TAIL WHEEL CONFIGURED HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE, WITH THE STICK IN THE FULL AFT POSITION, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED AN IMMEDIATE ABRUPT CLIMB TO ABOUT 50 FEET AGL. THE AIRPLANE THEN STALLED AND DESCENDED UNCONTROLLED TO THE TERRAIN. THIS WAS THE PILOT'S FIRST FLIGHT IN THE AIRPLANE AND GUSTY CROSSWIND CONDITIONS EXISTED. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS CONCENTRATING ON DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WITH THE RUDDER, AND WAS NOT AWARE THAT THE STICK WAS FULL AFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N31123](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N31123-2012-09-06), registration cancelled 2012-09-06, S/N 2352, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BENNETT KR-1
- Registry model: [Bennett KR-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bennett-kr-1) (registry code 0564888) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 2352
- Engines: VOLKSWAGEN 18C-1835CC 60 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Chung, Steven I.
- Airport: HKA, Blytheville, runway 35, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,610 total, 463 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 10 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: JBR, 35 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 19900418010359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900418010359A), Apr 18, 1990: Amtrrn KR1, Blytheville, AR, Substantial damage. Full power ground run with full up elevator resulted in a zoom to 50 feet AGL stall and crash. Gusty wind a factor

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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