# NTSB NYC89DNE03: Hancock MINI-MAX II, N2079A, Chester, CT, September 30, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: September 30, 1989, 09:10 local (14:10 UTC)
- Place: Chester, CT
- Location: 41.4032° N, 72.4509° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Chester, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4032&lon=-72.4509&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 11, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36249
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89DNE03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36249/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89DNE03

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF FLIGHT TIME IN THE AIRPLANE.

## 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
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS MAKING HIS INITIAL TEST FLIGHT OF HIS HOMEBUILT. AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT TURNED TO A DOWNWIND LEG AND LEVELED-OFF AT 300 FT AGL TO GAIN AIRSPEED. THE AIRPLANE SETTLED INTO TREES. A WITNESS STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS CLIMBING STEEPER THAN HE LIKES TO SEE, AND THAT THE ENGINE WAS 'SCREAMING' UNTIL IMPACT. THIS WAS THE PILOT'S FIRST FLIGHT IN THIS TYPE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2079A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2079A-1991-04-26), registration cancelled 1991-04-26, S/N MK70 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HANCOCK MINI-MAX II (MINI-MAX I)
- Registry model: [Hancock Harry P JR HANCOCK MINI MAX](https://openairdocs.org/model/hancock-harry-p-jr-hancock-mini-max) (registry code 05616SQ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: MK70
- Engines: ROTAX 377 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harry P. Hancock
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: 3B9, Chester

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 750 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890930037229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890930037229A), Sep 30, 1989: Beech T34B, Chester, CT, Substantial damage. Homebuilt could not gain flying speed after takeoff. Crashed into trees on initial flight.

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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