# NTSB NYC92LA137: Donald L. Betchan KR-II, N983DB, Louisville, KY, August 1, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 1, 1992, 09:40 local (13:40 UTC)
- Place: Louisville, KY
- Coordinates: 38.219425, -85.680229 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2194&lon=-85.6802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37188
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92LA137
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37188/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA137

## Probable cause

IMPROPER USE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS BY THE PROSPECTIVE BUYER, AND THE FAILURE OF THE OWNER/OPERATOR TO ADEQUATELY SUPERVISE THE PROSPECTIVE BUYER.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN TYPE OF AIRPLANE FOR THE PROSPECTIVE BUYER, AND THE LACK OF A RESTRAINT SYSTEM FOR THE PASSENGER.

## 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
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot passenger (cause)
  - aircraft/equipment inadequate, pilot passenger (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - runway

## Analysis

THE OWNER, SEATED IN THE RIGHT SEAT ALLOWED A PROSPECTIVE BUYER SEATED IN THE LEFT SEAT TO MAKE THE TAKEOFF.  AFTER GETTING AIRBORNE, THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED TO PITCH UP TO A NEAR VERTICAL ATTITUDE, FALL OFF ON A WING AND THEN STRIKE THE GROUND NOSE FIRST.  THE PROSPECTIVE BUYER HAD NO PREVIOUS TIME IN THE AIRPLANE, AND WAS A PRIVATE PILOT WITH 150 HOURS TOTAL TIME.  THE OWNER/OPERATOR HAS LESS THAN 100 HOURS TOTAL TIME AND WAS UNRESTRAINED IN THE AIRPLANE WHICH WAS EQUIPPED WITH ONLY ONE SET OF SEAT BELTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N983DB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N983DB-1992-12-15), registration cancelled 1992-12-15, S/N 3844 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DONALD L. BETCHAN KR-II
- Registry model: [Betchan Donald L KR-II](https://openairdocs.org/model/betchan-donald-l-kr-ii) (registry code 05648PP) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 3844
- Airframe hours: 4
- Engines: Volkswagen HAPI 1835 60 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hayward L. Powell
- Registered owner: Hayward L. Powell
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, November 5, 1991, 3 hours before
- Departed: LOU
- Airport: LOU, Bowman Field, runway 6, 4,312 × 80 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 150 total, 130 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LOU, 1 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 19920801028539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920801028539A), Aug 1, 1992: Amtr KR2, Louisville, KY, Substantial damage. Allowed prospective buyer to make takeoff. Pitch up vertically stalled and cartwheeled on impact.

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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