# NTSB NYC85LA259: Volksplane VP-1, N4354, Sharpsville, PA, September 8, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1985, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Sharpsville, PA
- Location: 41.2590° N, 80.4818° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sharpsville, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2590&lon=-80.4818&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30160
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA259
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30160/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA259

## 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, cruise
  - ignition system,magneto - water (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Gear collapsed, landing
  - landing gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENG RPM DURING CRUISE FLT. HE APPLIED CARB HEAT AND LOWERED THE NOSE OF THE ACFT IN AN ATTEMPT TO REGAIN ENG RPM HOWEVER, THE ENG CONTINUED TO LOOSE SPEED. THE ENG WAS BELOW 2000 RPM AND DROPPING WHEN THE PLT ELECTED TO MAKE A FORCE LANDING IN A PICNIC AREA. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT DISCLOSED MOISTURE INSIDE THE MAGNETO CASING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4354](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4354-2012-11-09), registration cancelled 2012-11-09, S/N CSJ-HT-1, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: VOLKSPLANE VP-1
- Registry model: [Chris Henry Johnson VOLKSPLANE WE-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/chris-henry-johnson-volksplane-we-1) (registry code 05611FS) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: CSJ-HTI
- Airframe hours: 625
- Engines: VOLKSWAGEN VW1600 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joseph E. Williams
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 6, 1984
- Departed: BTP, BUTLER, PA
- Destination: YOUNGSTOWN, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 323 total, 59 in this make and model, 275 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19850908067769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850908067769A), Sep 8, 1985: Amtr VOLKSPLNEWE1, Sharpsville, PA, Substantial damage. (.4)The plt experienced a loss of eng RPM during cruise flt. He applied carb heat and lowered the nose of the acft in an attempt to regain eng RPM however, the…

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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