# NTSB SEA08LA017: Kelly F1D, N42KK, Reno, NV, November 2, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 2, 2007, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Reno, NV - Coordinates: 39.667499, -119.876113 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6675&lon=-119.8761&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report December 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 67005 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA08LA017 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67005/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08LA017 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of airplane control while performing intentional approach to stall maneuvers. Contributing to the accident was the inadvertent entry of the airplane into a spin. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - downwind - stall - intentional, pilot in command - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot departed on his first flight in the experimental amateur-built airplane. Before departure, the pilot asked a person, who also became an eyewitness to the accident, to monitor the radio and document information regarding the test flight transmitted by the pilot. During the preflight briefing, the pilot told the witness that part of the flight would include doing an "approach to stall." The pilot topped off the 5-gallon fuel tank and departed for an estimated 30-minute flight. The witness observed the airplane maneuvering near the airport, and the pilot made several transmissions to him. The witness said the airplane entered a high downwind (approximately 2,000-3,000 feet above the ground). He observed the airplane slow to a nose high attitude while maintaining altitude. Then, while maintaining the same pitch attitude, a constant loss of altitude occurred with the wings level for approximately 3 to 4 seconds. He heard no increase in engine power nor was the airplane's pitch angle reduced. There appeared to be an abrupt entry into a right spin, and 6 to 8 turns were observed with a nearly vertical impact with the ground. Post accident examination of the engine revealed no abnormalities that would have precluded normal operation. No logbooks documenting airplane maintenance were found, and no pilot flight logbooks were found. ## Factual narrative On November 2, 2007, approximately 1400 Pacific standard time, a Kelly F1D experimental homebuilt Formula One racer, N42KK, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain in a spin at Reno/Stead Airport , Reno, Nevada. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant on board, was fatally injured. The owner/pilot was operating the airplane under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight, which departed approximately 1340. A flight plan had not been filed. Information gathered by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector stated that the pilot purchased the airplane in 2003, without an engine. The pilot put an engine and propeller on the airplane, which were different from the original airplane design. The FAA inspector ascertained that the weight reduction was approximately 15 pounds, which moved the center of gravity aft. A witness said the pilot asked him to assist him with his first flight in the airplane by monitoring a radio and documenting transmitted information. During the preflight briefing, the pilot told the witness that part of the flight would include doing an "approach to stall." The pilot topped off the 5-gallon fuel tank and departed for an estimated 30-minute flight. The witness observed the airplane maneuvering near the airport, and the pilot made several transmissions to him. The witness said the airplane entered a high downwind (approximately 2,000-3,000 feet above the ground). He observed the airplane slow to a nose high attitude while maintaining altitude. Then, while maintaining the same pitch attitude, a constant loss of altitude occurred with the wings level for approximately 3 to 4 seconds. He heard no increase in engine power nor was the airplane’s pitch angle reduced. There appeared to be an abrupt entry into a right spin, and 6 to 8 turns were observed with a nearly vertical impact with the ground. Post accident examination of the engine by a representative of the engine's manufacturer did not reveal any abnormalities that would have precluded normal operation. No engine or airframe maintenance logs were found; the pilot's flight-logbook was not located. The pilot's most recent FAA flight medical exam (second class) was taken on May 1, 2007, and on his application for the exam, he stated that he had 1,150 hours of flight experience. The Washoe County Medical Examiner's Office, Reno, performed an autopsy on the pilot on November 3, 2007. They determined that the cause of death was multiple blunt traumas. The FAA's Civil Aeromedical Institute (CAMI) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed toxicology tests on the pilot. According to CAMI's report (#200700262001), his urine was tested for volatiles and drugs with negative results. Carbon monoxide and cyanide tests were not performed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N42KK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N42KK-2017-03-21), registration cancelled 2017-03-21, S/N 001, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Kelly F1D - Registry model: [Kelly Kevin L KELLY F1D](https://openairdocs.org/model/kelly-kevin-l-kelly-f1d) (registry code 05626KW) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Engines: Continental C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Operator: Patrick J. Gleason - Registered owner: Patrick J. Gleason - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, July 15, 1997 - Departed: 4SD, Reno, NV - Destination: 4SD - Airport: 4SD, Reno/Stead Airport, runway 08, 7,608 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: fatal; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: single; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,150 total, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.31 inHg - Observed at: RNO, 10 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 20071102827509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071102827509A), Nov 2, 2007: Kellyk KELLYF1D, Stead, NV, Destroyed, 1 fatal. (-23) This was the first flight for this pilot in this aircraft. Both the engine and propeller were replaced with a different make and/or model. Prior to… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.